FAS Announces Windows Monopoly in Russia
Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia has published an analytical report, in which he called Microsoft a monopoly position in the Russian market of operating systems, write "Vedomosti".
According to the FAS for 2015, the following situation has developed on desktops and laptops:
There is a significant increase in Linux coverage. There were times when a free OS could barely manage to overcome the 1% barrier on desktops. However, it’s far from Windows.
FAS conducted an analysis of the operating system market when it considered a complaint from Kaspersky Lab about the infringement of third-party antivirus rights in Windows 10. The case against Microsoft was one of the best in FAS history .
Kaspersky Lab complained that in 2015, the Windows manufacturer, before launching the Windows 10 operating system, did not give antivirus software developers enough time to ensure compatibility of their antivirus applications with the new operating system. The terms of providing RTM-versions for them were reduced from two months to six days.
FAS recognized the fact of unfair competition, including:
On June 13, 2017, the FAS issued two cessation warnings, and Microsoft reported on the implementation of the warnings in a timely manner:
Despite the fulfillment of the requirements, Microsoft came to the attention of the FAS, as a result of which they are now officially recognized as a monopolist. It is curious how in this case FAS will apply antitrust laws.
According to the FAS for 2015, the following situation has developed on desktops and laptops:
- Windows - 95.6%
- macOS - 2.5%
- Linux - 1.9%
There is a significant increase in Linux coverage. There were times when a free OS could barely manage to overcome the 1% barrier on desktops. However, it’s far from Windows.
FAS conducted an analysis of the operating system market when it considered a complaint from Kaspersky Lab about the infringement of third-party antivirus rights in Windows 10. The case against Microsoft was one of the best in FAS history .
Kaspersky Lab complained that in 2015, the Windows manufacturer, before launching the Windows 10 operating system, did not give antivirus software developers enough time to ensure compatibility of their antivirus applications with the new operating system. The terms of providing RTM-versions for them were reduced from two months to six days.
FAS recognized the fact of unfair competition, including:
- creating special conditions for Windows Defender;
- posting on the official website and on Youtube a video where Microsoft representatives urge to abandon third-party anti-virus software in favor of Windows Defender.
On June 13, 2017, the FAS issued two cessation warnings, and Microsoft reported on the implementation of the warnings in a timely manner:
- made changes to the "Requirements for anti-virus software" ("Antimalware Platform Requirements");
- increased the period for providing RTM-versions of Windows 10 for independent anti-virus vendors;
- removed the footage.
Despite the fulfillment of the requirements, Microsoft came to the attention of the FAS, as a result of which they are now officially recognized as a monopolist. It is curious how in this case FAS will apply antitrust laws.