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Story URL: http://software.silicon.com/security/0,39024655,39162330,00.htm

Leave Vista security intact, Microsoft tells EC
'Hands off its crown jewels... '

By Reuters

Published: Tuesday 12 September 2006

Microsoft said on Tuesday it hopes the European Commission will not require the removal of important security features in Europe for Vista.

Erich Andersen, vice president and associate general counsel for Europe, said: "One of our principal concerns is that European consumers have access to the same new security features in Windows Vista as everyone else."

He told reporters: "Security is a top concern for European consumers and we hope the Commission will not require removal of these important features in Europe.

"We want to launch Windows Vista in a fully lawful manner and we want to avoid regulatory decisions that could increase security risks for European consumers."

Microsoft is to explain in more detail the contentious issues with the Commission, the European Union's executive arm.

Last week, Microsoft raised the possibility that it might delay the introduction of Vista in Europe because of the EC's antitrust requirements. The Commission said it was misleading to imply it could be the cause of delays.

The Commission and Microsoft are locked in a legal battle dating to 2004, when Brussels hit the company with a multimillion-dollar antitrust fine and demanded changes in its business practices.

When Microsoft failed to meet EC requirements, the EU executive fined the company an additional €280.5m this summer. The Commission is still waiting for compliance.

It is also talking to Microsoft about whether Vista has anticompetitive elements that must be changed.

Vista, set to replace Windows XP, has run into many delays. Microsoft plans a general launch of the product in January after making Vista available to large-volume business customers in November.