Attention: We are retiring the ASP.NET Community Blogs. Learn more >

Opera files antitrust complaint with the EU against Google Chrome OS

Warning: this post is a joke to make a point.  It’s not real.

Opera files antitrust complaint with the EU

Urges Google to give consumers a genuine choice of standards—compliant Web browsers

Oslo, Norway and Brussels, Belgium — 13 July 2009

Opera Software ASA, the only company that can put the Web on any device, filed a complaint with the European Commission yesterday which is aimed at giving consumers a genuine choice of Web browsers.

The complaint describes how Google is abusing its dominant position by tying its browser, Chrome, to the Chrome operating system and by hindering interoperability by not following accepted Web standards. Opera has requested the Commission to take the necessary actions to compel Google to give consumers a real choice.

"We are filing this complaint on behalf of all consumers who are tired of having a monopolist make choices for them," said Jon von Tetzchner, CEO of Opera. "In addition to promoting the free choice of individual consumers, we are a champion of open Web standards and cross-platform innovation. We cannot rest until we've brought fair and equitable options to consumers worldwide."

Opera requests the Commission to implement one remedy to Chrome’s abusive actions. It requests the Commission to obligate Google to unbundle Chrome from Chrome OS and/or carry alternative browsers pre-installed on the desktop.

"Our complaint is necessary to get Google to amend its practices," said Jason Hoida, Deputy General Counsel, Opera. "The European is currently investigating Google practices with YouTube, Google Books and the Yahoo ad deal. We are simply asking the Commission to apply these same, clear principles to the Chrome tie, a tie that has even more profound effects on consumers and innovation. We are confident that the Commission understands the significance of the Chrome tie and will take the necessary actions to restore competition and consumer choice in the browser market."

Opera has long held the position of innovator in the Web browser market, having introduced and pioneered features like tabbed browsing, Speed Dial, integrated search bar, mouse gestures, Opera Link™ and many others. Absent Google’s abuse, Google would have been forced to compete on a level playing field with Opera and other browsers. Instead of innovating, Google has locked consumers to its own browser and only recently begun to offer some of the innovative features that other browsers have offered for years.

Both of Opera’s requested remedies are intended to give consumers greater freedom and flexibility while at the same time ensuring that the Web further develops into a platform for innovation. Opera believes that the remedies will help promote consumer rights worldwide and force Microsoft to begin competing with Opera and others on the merits of its browser.

About Opera Software ASA

Opera Software ASA is a Norwegian company providing innovative products that make the Web a reality on any device — from computers and cell phones to portable media players and game consoles. As the first company that brought the full Web to the small mobile screen, Opera has an unparalleled track record in giving users the full Web experience across platforms. Opera's product range includes its flagship desktop browser, a fast and free Web browser for mobile phones called Opera Mini, and Opera Mobile, a version of the browser designed for today's advanced smartphones. All Opera’s products support open Web standards which make the Web a home for innovation. Available completely free, Opera's desktop browser or Opera Mini can be downloaded atwww.opera.com.

Opera Software ASA is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and has offices around the world, including in the United States, Japan, Sweden, Poland, China, Korea and India. Opera is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (Symbol: OPERA)

About Opera Software ASA

Opera Software ASA has redefined Web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera's cross-platform Web browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.

;-)

Of course it’s all made up and it was just for fun but why Opera Software shouldn’t sue Google over tying Chrome the browser to Chrome the OS?

Here’s the original Opera Software press release:
http://www.opera.com/press/releases/2007/12/13/

Bookmark and Share

6 Comments

  • Not only that! How about Apple with Safari in OS X??

  • all tying isn't bad or illegal. tying a new product to your monopoly product to give your new product an unfair competitive advantage is both bad and illegal. the chrome browser has about 2% market share. that's far from a monopoly.

  • I´m just waiting for this to be true..

    I use Opera on my windows mobile, but I would never use it on my PC (just like 99,9% of the users worldwide).

    Opera is the biggest joke since Microsoft Bob. :-)

  • I wonder when you'll realize that Mozilla (makers of Firefox) is officially backing the EU complaint. They even made a big point about it.

  • "The complaint describes how Google is abusing its dominant position by tying its browser, Chrome, to the Chrome operating system and by hindering interoperability by not following accepted Web standards."

    Chrome complies to the web standards. If IE could score as high on the Acid test, (instead of getting 20/100) maybe the EU wouldn't care about the bundle. And maybe then web developers will stop hating on Microsoft was well. Just something to think about.

    And to the poster of the comment about Safari and OS X. Safari 4 is the only bundled browser which actually passes the Acid3 test with 100%.

  • I second the comment by required. Its true. Microsoft wants to make everything OS, Office, Mobile OS, Silver light, Game, Hardware Accessory, Zune, Browser, Accounting software etc etc, and wants to use their monopoly power to strangle the industry.

    If this is the cry for a Chrome OS which is still non-existent, what you will do when it really materialize.

Comments have been disabled for this content.