Gates announces Internet Explorer 7.0

Bill Gates has announced that the release of Internet Explorer version 7.0 has been brought forward. Originally intended for release with the next version of Windows (Longhorn) next year, Microsoft has decided to launch a more secure version of its browser this year instead. ...more

European Commission targets Microsoft over competition lock out

The European Commission has ruled that Microsoft has broken European rules on competition and used its monopoly position in the operating systems to lock out competitors according to a report in the Financial Times. The dispute, which goes back over three years, is over the Microsoft Media Player bundled with Windows XP. Rival media player developers such as Real Networks have complained that Microsoft has used its dominant position with the operating systems to effectively lock out Real's rival player. ...more

Tablet PCs yet to top 100,000 in Europe

Devices using Microsoft's Tablet PC operating system are still struggling to make inroads into Europe, according to research group Canalys, with shipments yet to reach 100,000 since last year's November launch. With 91,950 units having been shipped to date, and figures for the quarter 20 per cent down sequentially, Canalys has reiterated its calls for Microsoft to step into the breach, subsidise the OS and establish a dedicated marketing team to drive it forward in Europe. 'Microsoft still isn't doing enough to help Tablet PC vendors - particularly in Europe,' said Canalys director and senior analyst Chris Jones. ...more

US charges eight members of 'world wide piracy operations'

The US Department of Justice has announced that eight people have been charged with criminal copyright infringement in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is part of a drive against organised piracy groups who, the DoJ claim, are responsible for most of the illegal distribution of copyrighted movies, software, games and music on the Internet. The eight have been charged with conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement and copyright infringement. ...more

States reject Microsoft delay appeal

The nine US states that have rejected the proposed settlement of anti-trust proceedings against Microsoft have opposed the software company's request for more time to assemble its evidence. The states' call for much stronger penalties to be imposed on Microsoft, and their case is due to be heard in March. Microsoft insists that the call for new penalties amounts to a new case against it and that it needs nine months to go through millions of documents. ...more