Wednesday, 27 June 2007

MS, Google Dispute Ends, Google Wants Extension

The long simmering battle between Google and Microsoft over Windows Vista has ended with a judge declining to address a new petition by Google that asked the government to extend its antitrust oversight of Microsoft.

The long simmering battle between Google and Microsoft over Windows Vista has ended with a judge declining to address a new petition by Google that asked the government to extend its antitrust oversight of Microsoft.

Instead, the judge said she was satisfied that Microsoft had settled the dispute by agreeing to alter Windows Vista so users could more easily access alternative search programmes offered by rivals like Google. The judge said any additional concerns about Microsoft's adherence to a 2002 consent decree settling an antitrust case should go to union and state regulators.

"As far as I'm concerned, stand in the shoes of consumers," she said in a routine quarterly hearing on Microsoft's compliance with the decree. "Google is not a party in this suit."

The hearing comes as the rivalry between the two giants heats up on the regulatory front. Google filed a brief with the district court Monday, asking for an extension of provisions in Microsoft's consent decree past their November expiration. Microsoft, in turn, has argued that Google's proposed acquisition of DoubleClick poses an antitrust risk in the online advertising market.