Did Google Tip Off EU About Microsoft Browser Ballot?

Dupple writes with a story about the latest in the Google-Microsoft feud. "The tired spat between Google and Microsoft just got a lot more interesting after reports that the search giant tipped off European authorities to antitrust concerns, a tip that will now cost the Windows-maker nearly a billion dollars. When news of the fine levied by the European Union's competition watchdog broke on Wednesday, nobody was too surprised that the European Commission was punishing Microsoft for bullying consumers. But with a recent headline-stealing dispute between the Redmond, Washington company and Google, it's competitor down in Mountain View, California, bloggers got curious. Early Wednesday evening, The Wall Street Journal's Tom Gara wondered, 'Did Google Snitch?' According to a Financial Times report published a few minutes later, the answer is yes."

Re:Obvious troll

[Raumkraut]

Not only that, but the article linked provides no actual background to how it is "known" that Google "snitched" - just an unsourced quote.
A little digging indicates that the quote comes from a Financial Times article [ft.com] (registration required). Here are the relevant paragraphs:

Brussels punished Microsoft for failing to give at least 15m consumers a choice of web browser - a violation of a voluntary antitrust pact that was spotted and raised by Google and Opera, according to several people familiar with the case.

The US software group was left to police its own compliance and Mr Almunia said the lapse was brought to his attention by a Microsoft rival. According to people involved, Google and Opera informally provided the tip-off and helped investigators.

Re:17+ months and the world didn't notice but Goog

[FaxeTheCat]

It is odd, and most likely not true.

It was Opera software who originally complained, an one would assume they have taken five minutes occasionally to check.

Re:17+ months and the world didn't notice but Goog

[Anonymous Coward]

I know for a fact it wasn't only, if at all, Google complaining about the missing ballot screen. I filed a complaint myself. I'd also be surprised if of all competitors Opera didn't file a complaint. The only thing I wonder is, whether my email with the complaint went directly to /dev/null. I've never received a reply.

Re:Snitch?

[black3d]

Because Google is in ruins? I don't disagree that them "snitch"ing is a non-issue under the circumstances, but they're not exactly falling apart here.

Looking at it from another perspective, Google have a fairly strong grip on the search market (not monopoly-esque, per se, there are available alternatives but the fact that people don't tell you to "search for it" but "Google for it" demonstrates their entrenchment in the marketplace). They certainly don't *advertise* other browsers in their products, except for Chrome. Nobody decries this fact, but from personal experience I can tell you about plenty of non-'computer people' who've installed Chrome simply because of the advertisements from Google telling them it'll let them "browse faster". Fact or not, they're leveraging their position very nicely to increase their market share.

Microsoft distribute an Operating System and bundle a browser with it - the same as virtually every other OS out there. The only difference here is Microsoft's incredible market-share in the desktop space. They're not exactly making money off the browser, so the real shame here is that the EU still considers Microsoft's position to be an unfair advantage over its competitors browsers. Actually - maybe they don't. After all, they're not going back to court and trying to prove the necessity, just jumping on the fact that MS failed to keep an agreement.

Nobody's in ruins over it. The only fact here is that MS violated their agreement. That's it. Chrome's marketshare has increased year on year, even during the SP1 "outage". If you're trying to argue "maybe it would have increased more...", you're grasping at straws.

Re:Obvious troll

[Bearhouse]

I think you're incorrect on the first part. From the linked FT article:

"The US software group was left to police its own compliance and Mr Almunia [EU competition supremo] said the lapse was brought to his attention by a Microsoft rival. According to people involved, Google and Opera informally provided the tip-off and helped investigators"

Another fun snippet:

"The episode was cited as a reason for giving Steve Ballmer, chief executive, only half his potential bonus last year."

Cry me a river.

No evidence Google was involved ..

[dgharmon]

"Brussels punished Microsoft for failing to give at least 15m consumers a choice of web browser - a violation of a voluntary antitrust pact that was spotted and raised by Google and Opera, according to several people familiar with the case."

"Opera said it was "happy to see that the Commission is enforcing compliance with the commitment, which is critical to ensuring a genuine choice among web browsers for consumers". Google declined to comment."

Google tip-off leads to Microsoft EU penalty [ft.com]

Re:Who cares?

[nyctopterus]

You obviously haven't heard - nobody uses desktops any more, we're all using our phones, tablets, smartwatches and cyborg glasses now. 90% of nothin' is nothin'.