EU Demands Microsoft Makes Media Player More Like Paint

5th April 2004

Following the anti competition case a few weeks ago, the EU has suggested to Microsoft that it make its popular Media Player product more like the graphics program Microsoft Paint.

Microsoft was fined over 600 million dollars because it believed that by bundling Media Player with Windows XP, it was gaining an unfair advantage over the developers of similar products, as most people would not see the need to purchase an alternative product if they already had Microsoft’s version.

The EU has advised Microsoft that in order to help its appeal case they should make the change suggested.

“People have pointed out that Windows comes bundled with many different products, like Notepad, Calculator and Paint.” EU Spokesperson Keith Wilson explained, “So we have no problem with them including software with Windows. But unlike Media Player, Paint does not dominate the graphics industry. Most developers prefer to use products like Adobe Photoshop, or Jasc’s Paint Shop Pro.”

Mr Wilson went on to explain that so long as Microsoft did not bundle superior products to what its competition were able to produce – such as Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger or Media Player – the EU would not have a problem.

"They could include Media Player 6 again," Mr Wilson reasoned, "That was rubbish."

Microsoft did not have time to comment on the suggestions made, as they were too busy preparing for their next case against the EU – for having an unfair domination in the distribution of Minesweeper and Solitaire products.