Responding to the European Commission’s fine of $1.4 billion against Microsoft, Progressive Vision, the classical liberal think-tank, has said this is a pointless and harmful measure in a rapidly changing market.

Shane Frith, director of Progressive Vision, said:

“Microsoft has been unfairly targeted by the Commission and hit with pointless demands.  No rational customer would ever want to buy a copy of Windows without Microsoft Media Player. The truth is that the software industry is rapidly changing and Microsoft faces very stiff competition from a range of other companies.  Market competition is working well by encouraging the creation of innovative products and falling prices. The last thing that is needed is the intervention of the European Commission.”