Microsoft, Europe | featured news

The European Union has fined Microsoft €561 million ($733 million) for breaking a pledge to offer personal computer users a choice of Internet browsers when they install the company's flagship Windows operating system.

The fine for failing to give Windows users the choice of competing Web browsers would be the first levied by the European Union for neglecting to comply with a settlement.

A court in Mannheim ruled on Wednesday that Microsoft infringed Motorola Mobility's patents and ordered Microsoft to remove its popular Xbox 360 gaming consoles and Windows 7 operating system software from the German market.

Web browser Opera says its downloads in Europe have doubled since Microsoft began offering a choice.

The European Union said today that it is dropping antitrust charges against Microsoft Corp. after the company agreed to give users a choice of up to 12 web browsers besides Internet Explorer.

Recent concessions by Microsoft appear to address E.U. antitrust concerns, the competition commissioner said.