A member of the US Senate Judiciary Committee that has been
appointed to examine Microsoft’s activities has asked the software
giant to delay the release of its new Windows XP operating system.
Senator Charles Schumer made a written request to the company’s CEO
Steve Ballmer, in which he expressed his concerns over certain
features of the new system that may prove anti-competitive.
The company has been involved in on-going legal action over its
bundling practices, which have been heavily criticised because they
make it harder for rival software producers to market their
products.
Although Microsoft has made some concessions, such as giving
manufacturers the option to install competing internet browser
software, it has decided to bundle together several new features of
Windows XP. These include software applications for instant
messaging and streaming media, which are also produced by competing
software companies.
The Windows XP system is scheduled to be released in October,
but the US government may seek to impose an injunction to postpone
the release date.
