IE icon too familiar for Microsoft EU settlement?

[swarfega]

Details could yet devil Microsoft's proposal to let consumers pick their browser in Windows, the company's effort to keep Internet Explorer on the right side of European Union regulatory law.

Opera Software's chief technology officer Hakon Wium Lie is reported to have questioned the use of the famous IE icon in a ballot screen Microsoft said it's willing to include Windows.

The ballot screen, detailed as part of a settlement package Friday by Microsoft, would let users pick from a list of browsers when they install Windows. The screen would come with Windows 7 and could be downloaded via software update to Windows XP and Windows Vista. When a user clicks the browser they want, it would take them to the download site.

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Spot IE: Microsoft's proposed Windows ballot screen for browsers

Lie has reportly said that the use of icons in the ballot screen could result in a natural bias towards IE. The sticking point could be that the IE logo has become synonymous with Windows.

"The blue 'e' has become so associated with the Internet in general, due to the bundling with Windows. We think using the blue 'e' might not be such a good idea," told TechFlash.

But Lie is apparently pleased with Microsoft's proposal. In the reading-between-the-lines world of EU-antitrust politics, that could be an early sign of settlement.

It was Opera that brought the original complaint against Microsoft to the EU, over integration of IE with Windows, and it has been outspoken on the latest version of IE and Windows: IE 8 and the up-coming Windows 7.
The EU, meanwhile, which in its preliminary findings found integration of IE and Windows broke anti-trust law earlier this year, said it "welcomed" Microsoft's proposal.

More: here
original copyright The Register

 

[mxosder16]

Lol, a complaint over the logo?!

When will the madness end

 

[Klaw117]

That's bull. If they don't use the logo, what else will they use? Besides, the name "Internet Explorer" is just as well-known as the icon.

I think the Opera people will only be happy if IE is completely renamed or gone forever, which is not happening.

To prove that Microsoft is not going to take this bull anymore, they should just quit selling Windows 7 in Europe. I know, it's a completely unrealistic idea, but it would definitely prove that the EU is harming Microsoft's business. Plus, it would be kind of funny to watch.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Wow they really like to nitpick at things! Seriously they need to get over themselves. I'm tired of hearing about them.

 

[Kari]

Neverending story...

Opera Software CTO Hakon Wium Lie is reported to have questioned the use of the famous IE icon in a ballot screen Microsoft said it's willing to include in Windows.

I really, really don´t understand this. Admitting IE logo is better known than Opera logo he admits IE is better known than Opera. So what? New logo or no logo, more people are still going to download IE than Opera.

 

[Frostbite]

Lol, a complaint over the logo?!

When will the madness end

Indeed

 

[petrossa]

:roflmao::devil2:
Stick it to them, i'm sure Ms Kroes welcomes all input to make MS squirm a bit more. Getting MS this far was akin to getting water out of a stone, now that the stone has cracked who nows what goodies she can drag out for us?

 

[Loki]

I for one have not forgotten that IE gave everyone a FREE web browser, so where do you think we would be with browsers today if not for IE?

 

[wwoods]

:roflmao::devil2:
Stick it to them, i'm sure Ms Kroes welcomes all input to make MS squirm a bit more. Getting MS this far was akin to getting water out of a stone, now that the stone has cracked who nows what goodies she can drag out for us?

Typical socialist EU we want everything free rant....

 

[petrossa]

I for one have not forgotten that IE gave everyone a FREE web browser, so where do you think we would be with browsers today if not for IE?

You forgot thee :sarc: SARC smilie.

You'd better do some research before posting nonsensical statements.

 

[petrossa]

Typical socialist EU we want everything free rant....

staunch conservative and proud of it. As is the EU parliament:
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