Vista and the EU: clarity please, and quickly

David Mitchell, Practice Leader, Software

Microsoft issued a statement today, giving the view that security features should remain in the versions of Vista that are to be shipped in the EU. The text of the announcement reads as follows:

'One of our principal concerns is that European consumers have access to the same new security features in Windows Vista as everyone else. 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.'

There have been long-term discussions between the EU and Microsoft on the forthcoming Vista operating system, and whether elements of the product are likely to fall foul of EU regulations and become subject to regulatory intervention. The interaction seems, from the outside, to have been amicable. However, no definite conclusions have been reached, or at least none that have been clearly communicated to the European marketplace. As the launch date of Vista rapidly approaches, it is absurd that that there is still doubt over whether the product will be subject to regulatory intervention.

There has been very little uptake of the version of Windows XP that excludes Media Player functionality. A version of Vista that removes security-related functionality has the potential to be an even greater turkey. Security is a major concern for the European market and needs to be addressed on multiple different fronts. If the EU is going to ask Microsoft to remove security-related functionality then it needs to be very precise in its request and very clear about why it is making it. It has the potential to cause a major market disruption, with no benefit whatsoever for the end-consumer. Appropriate and timely regulatory intervention may benefit the consumer, but only if that intervention reflects real consumer preferences in the market and recognises the overall market evolution that is underway.

Our final plea is for clarity and certainty in the process. If the EU is to intervene there is a desperate need for a clear timetable, a properly articulated set of reasons why an intervention is necessary, and the target outcomes that the EU seeks to achieve.

David Mitchell is the Software Practice Leader, managing the Software@Ovum advisory services. He also leads the consulting group that focuses on the software and IT services market.