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Microsoft: Vista On Schedule, Will Make EU Changes
Microsoft Corp. said Friday it is on track to deliver the new Windows Vista operating system to its volume license customers around the world in November and to the general public in January.
The world's largest software maker also confirmed it will be releasing the operating system in Europe and South Korea on schedule, following what it called "constructive dialogue" with the European Commission and the Korea Fair Trade Commission.
Microsoft agreed to make a number of changes to Windows Vista in response to guidance the company received from the European Commission, said Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith. Smith confirmed that the company has also incorporated changes to Windows Vista in South Korea to comply with its legal obligations there.
"We recognize that the European Commission does not give 'green lights' for new products, and we have not asked for one," Smith said. "We appreciate the constructive dialogue we have had with the commission and the guidance the commission has provided. Based on this guidance, we have made changes to ensure that we're in compliance with our competition law obligations, and we are moving forward to make Windows Vista available on a worldwide basis."
The EU's antitrust office had warned this spring it had concerns about the new Windows software and EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said "it is up to Microsoft to shoulder its own responsibility to ensure full compliance with competition rules."