Adobe, Symantec Challenge Microsoft's Vista For Antitrust Violations

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Software Makers Complain to EU Over Microsoft's New Vista System

Summary: Two software companies, Adobe (ADBE) and Symantec (SYMC), have appealed to the EU to take antitrust actions against Microsoft's (MSFT) new operating system, Vista. The companies claim features in Microsoft's Vista system, which will likely run 90% of the world's computers, will serve to directly undercut their own products. In Adobe's case, Vista will include an XML document reader which it feels will steal market share from its Acrobat pdf reader. In Symantec's case, the company feels Microsoft has built in security measures that will make it impossible for its own virus protection software to operate properly on a Vista-run system. Microsoft counters in the latter case that the security features are necessary to provide users the safest possible computing and web-surfing experience. Microsoft was fined $600 million by the EU after its last operating system was released in 2004 for antitrust violations - charges the company is still fighting. Read full article>
Related links: • Antitrust Chief Barnett: Innovators Should Be Left to their Own Devices • Why The EU's Fines Against Microsoft Aren't So Significant • Adobe: Microsoft's Vista, PDF not a Threat • Symantec and McAfee Have Little to Fear From Microsoft Antivirus Software • Wall Street Journal: Microsoft Fined By the EU; Stock Implications • Conference call transcripts: • MSFT F4Q06 • ADBE F3Q06 • SYMC Q1 2007

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