Trend Micro cries "antitrust" over Microsoft Security Essentials

[JMH]

Trend Micro cries "antitrust" over Microsoft Security Essentials

In recent months, Microsoft has made a couple of moves to make its Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus software more widely used. First, the company relaxed licensing restrictions, making it permissible to use MSE in businesses with ten or fewer PCs; prior to this change, the software was only licensed for home users. Now, the company has started to distribute the software through its Microsoft Update distribution system.

Last month Ars asked antivirus vendors their thoughts about the expansion of MSE into small businesses. Their responses could best be summed up as "it's good that Microsoft is raising awareness of computer security, but our software is still much better."

The broader distribution of MSE to consumers might not be as welcome. When Ed Bott at ZDNet asked Symantec and McAfee their thoughts, their stance was much the same as it is was before: "Microsoft's software offers only basic protection; ours is so much better, people really should use it." Infoworld is reporting that Trend Micro might not be so conciliatory.

Speaking to Infoworld, Carol Carpenter, the general manager of the consumer and
small business group at Trend Micro said, "Commercializing Windows Update to distribute other software applications raises significant questions about unfair competition." She continued, "Windows Update is a de facto extension of Windows, so to begin delivering software tied to updates has us concerned. Windows Update is not a choice for users, and we believe it should not be used this way."

Trend Micro's response shows a poor understanding of the action Microsoft has taken. MSE is being offered not through Windows Update, but through the related Microsoft Update service. Microsoft Update, which updates a broad range of Microsoft products and occasionally offers new ones, requires a deliberate opt-in: it isn't enabled by default. Moreover, MSE will only be offered to customers who do not have an existing antivirus product installed—and in any case is offered as an optional download.

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Trend Micro cries "antitrust" over Microsoft Security Essentials

 

[si8mon]

Microsoft releasing MSE on Windows Update was of course going to make rival AV companies unhappy. But most people still have no idea what MSE is and while putting it on windows update might help raise awareness, it will only help a tiny bit. For MSE to become a house old name, Microsoft needs to start a wide spread marketing campaign, so that non tech savvy people will learning about it.

 

[LiquidSnak]

The first I ever heard about MSE was in one of my classes in EE. I still don't hear about it too often, I think that Microsoft needs to step up awareness, and other AV needs to stop being little whiners.

 

[mikedl]

Thanks, JMH.

I didn't think it would take very long for this to happen.

 

[Barman58]

It would be interesting to see what effect the normal availablilty of MSE has had on the sales of Trend Micro.

It's entirely possible that Trend are the company taking the biggest hit, their software is not the name on the lips of users when they think about AV solutions, in my experience, not I may add due to any fault in the software it'self but just user perception.

With the Complaints over the bundling of IE that led to the E versions of Win7 in Europe and the browser selection screen it was not The major competitors for IE that were the most vocal, but Opera, which was in fourth place

 

[marsmimar]

Just want to see if I understand Trend Micro's position...

They don't like the fact that Microsoft (the company) is offering those who use a Microsoft operating system a free, but optional, Microsoft product.

Using that logic, if Coca-Cola (the company) offers those who buy a six-pack of Coke a coupon to get a free Dr Pepper (also a Coca-Cola product), Pepsi-Cola would have a right to argue that's unfair competition? Really???

 

[Trucidation]

Exactly; I don't see what Trend is crying about. MSE is optional. Maybe their problem is having it served via Windows Update?

 

[mikedl]

I understand this is a tech forum but it might be a good thing for one to read up on anti-trust laws and the purposes for which they exist in many countries. The nuances can get lost in oversimplification if one is not careful to compare apples to apples (no reference to Apple intended whatsoever).

 

[EzioAuditore]

There's no point in crying which Trend is doing. If they're so concerned about their popularity going down by MS's this stunt, they should themselves come up with any new idea. Afterall, everything is fair in love, war and business...

 

[Tews]

Here's an idea, maybe they should produce a product that can actually compete with MSE!

 

[madtownidiot]

third-party software vendors are more than happy to insist that Windows needs antivirus software and that using a Windows machine without such software is dangerous—but if Microsoft agrees with their assessment and tries to improve the situation itself, they threaten to cry foul.

I don't think there's a better way to sum it up

 

[Fayla]

For all the years these premium anti-virus ~ anti-malware solutions have been about, the Internet has just gotten worse instead of better.

The only anti-trust case I think would be worth bringing up is the deals these companies have made with PC manufacturers to bundle their useless software on almost every new computer sold.

 

[CarlTR6]

Here's an idea, maybe they should produce a product that can actually compete with MSE!

Exactly. MS has been very careful not to bundle MSE. It is optional.

 

[MattRainier]

Here's an idea, maybe they should produce a product that can actually compete with MSE!

Exactly. MS has been very careful not to bundle MSE. It is optional.

And it's not like it's just a quick little "oh, you can also add this" on Windows Update...first you have to enable MSU, then you have to not have any other AV solution on your machine, then they offer you the option. Otherwise, you have to go to their site to download and install yourself.

 

[Layback Bear]

All and All I think all those companies complaining should go back in time and read there own material. They have been telling us for a very long time to buy their products because Microsoft has made operating system that were not secure. By my memory they also mention try our free anti virus and then please buy our full version. Microsoft has finely getting into security with both feet and asking a user to try there anti virus. The big difference is they don't try to sell you a full version. They give it to you if you choose to take it. All those that don't think MSE is good enough, of course can choose a anti virus to make them happy. As long as I can choose I'm happy. Anti virus companies complain that Microsoft advertises one of their products to users of their products is just plain dumb. For example. You open your phone bill and in there is advertisement for the same companies other products, (TV or internet options that are available. Who is complaining about that?

 

[johnwillyums]

I understand this is a tech forum but it might be a good thing for one to read up on anti-trust laws and the purposes for which they exist in many countries. The nuances can get lost in oversimplification if one is not careful to compare apples to apples (no reference to Apple intended whatsoever).

Good point. I don't know enough about international jurisdictions either.
Wasn't the browser choice thing taken through the European Union courts?
I definitely don't really get anti trust legislation. Surely giving it's customers an antivirus product as part of the retail price of Windows is only like Microsoft producing a bullet proof OS in the first place?