Microsoft Corp. and the U.S.
Department of Justice settled a dispute resolving the computer company’s
compliance with a court order enjoining it from forcing computer
makers to include Internet Explorer with licensed Microsoft operating
systems.
According to the agreement, Microsoft will offer computer manufacturers two
options as to the installation of the Windows 95 operating system.
The first option will allow manufacturers to install Windows 95, but delete
MS Internet Explorer icons. Microsoft claims that removing these files will
affect a few features of Windows 95, all of which are related to Internet
access.
The second option, favored by Microsoft, removes the IE icons but leaves
the browser installed on the platform. Because all Windows 95 files get
installed under this option, fewer features of the operating system are
impaired.
“Today’s resolution preserves Internet Explorer as a part of Windows 95.
This is very important for software developers who create applications that
rely upon Internet Explorer, and for customers,” said William H. Neukom,
Microsoft senior vice president for law and corporate affairs. “Under any
of the new options announced today, software developers can continue to
write programs that call upon our Internet services.”
In accordance with the preliminary injunction ordered by the DOJ December
11, Microsoft began enabling computer makers to license the installation of
the Windows 95 operating system without IE; however, as Microsoft had
warned, this brought about nonfunctioning operating systems. The court,
recognizing this factor, agreed the best solution would be to hide the IE
icons, rather than removing IE entirely from the system.
Although the compliance issue has been resolved, Microsoft is still
pressing the court for an appeal, scheduled to be heard April 21.
“While we are pleased to resolve this compliance question, Microsoft will
continue to defend the software industry’s right to update and enhance
products without unnecessary government interference,” said Neukom.