Google is unhappy about the way Microsoft treats search in its Vista operating system, saying it breaches the consent decree that settled the epic government anti-trust case against Microsoft.
Effectively Google wants better access to Vista desktop real estate. It says Microsoft makes it too hard for its Vista users to shift from Live search to the Google engine.
Last week, US District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said she would revisit the plaintiffs in the case – that is, the Federal and state attorneys general and Microsoft – rather than Google on whether Vista breached the consent decree.
The judges decision followed a request by Google to extend the consent decree and to clarify agreements reached between Microsoft and the anti-trust plaintiffs over Vista search.
In its latest filing, Google says it can offer the court important insight into Microsoft behaviour.
“As the developer of a major desktop search product and the company that brought the desktop search issue to the attention of the plaintiffs, Google has familiarity with the issues raised and is well positioned to provide information to the Court,” the company said in court documents.
Google is concerned that the changes Microsoft has committed to making to its Vista operating system don’t actually address its concerns. In addition to clarification of how that agreement will work, it wants direct input in the proceedings.
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