Microsoft Mulls IE Changes
Microsoft is preparing changes to its Internet Explorer browser because of a patent verdict against it, the company said Friday. The changes could affect a large number of existing Web pages, experts said.
"In response to the ruling, we are evaluating our options and may take precautionary steps in terms of any changes we may need to make to IE," Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler said. He declined to detail what sort of changes Microsoft has in mind.
A jury in Chicago on August 11 ordered Microsoft to pay $520.6 million
in damages to Eolas Technologies and the University of California after finding
that Microsoft improperly included technology in
Microsoft does not expect changes to IE to have a significant or
widespread impact, Desler said. The
Microsoft is involving the technology industry and relevant standards bodies, such as the W3C, in its investigation into the changes it may have to make to IE. "We want to inform them about our thinking on this matter and get their feedback and input," Desler said.
The W3C held a meeting earlier this month to discuss the fallout of the patent case. Attendees agreed that a response to the case should minimize the effects of changes to Web software, Web sites, and the user experience. Still, changes to IE "may affect a large number of existing Web pages," according to the W3C's notice.
According to the W3C, Microsoft will "very soon" make changes to IE, but Microsoft's Desler said it is "premature to get into any details in terms of what Microsoft may or may not do."
Microsoft plans to appeal the jury verdict once the court has finished dealing with post-trial motions and enters a final judgment in the case, Desler said. This is expected in the coming months.
