India News | CCI Dismisses Complaint Against Microsoft
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has rejected a complaint filed against Microsoft with respect to bundling of anti-virus software with its Windows operating system.
New Delhi, Mar 4 (PTI) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has rejected a complaint filed against Microsoft with respect to bundling of anti-virus software with its Windows operating system.
It was alleged that bundling of the anti-virus software was violating fair competition norms.
Starting with Windows 10 Operating System (OS) edition, the anti-virus software Microsoft Defender is bundled with it.
In a 17-page order dated March 3, the CCI said there was no prima-facie case of contravention and closed the matter.
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To assess the complaint, the regulator considered two relevant markets -- the market for computer security (antivirus) software for Windows OS in India and the market for desktop/laptop security (antivirus) software for Windows OS in India.
Citing Microsoft's submissions, the CCI observed that there is no compulsion on users to exclusively use Microsoft Defender as their antivirus solution.
Also, it noted that OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are permitted to pre-install alternative third-party antivirus software on desktops and laptops running Windows OS.
"Additionally, other OS providers, such as macOS and ChromeOS, also include built-in antivirus functionality in place. Therefore, in the absence of an element of compulsion or imposition, prima facie there appears to be no violation of Section 4(2)(a)(i) of the Act," the order said.
Section 4 of the Competition Act pertains to abuse of dominant market position.
According to the regulator, there is no indication of market foreclosure in the antivirus solutions sector.
"Despite the presence of Microsoft's built-in security software, multiple well-established and prominent players continue to operate in the market without significant barriers to entry or exclusion," it added.
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)