Norwegian browser maker Opera has urged European Union antitrust regulators not to rush to close its antitrust case against Microsoft before ensuring a level playing field among browsers. European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in a newspaper interview that she was keen to reach a deal with Microsoft before her term ends this year. A settlement would end the company's decade-long dispute with the European Commission. However, Opera is urging less haste. "We are slightly concerned about perhaps a premature settlement in this case," says Opera's chief technology officer Hakon Wium Lie.
"We are also eager to close the case but we want to make sure the settlement is effective. We think the current solution on the table will not be an effective settlement," he says.
Opera complained to the Commission about Microsoft's tying of its Internet Explorer to Windows in December 2007, triggering formal charges from the Commission against Microsoft in January this year.
The EU competition watchdog is now reviewing feedback from Microsoft's rivals and other interested parties on the US software company's proposal to install a ballot screen that would give users the chance to choose its competitors' web browsers.
The Commission has to date slapped a total 1.68 billion euros in fines on Microsoft for infringing EU antitrust rules
