EU to force Microsoft to bundle Firefox with Windows?

The EU is claiming that Microsoft is harming competition by bundling Internet Explorer with Windows. Described in an article found here, PC Pro explains that either Microsoft or OEMs may have to install competing web browsers such as Firefox, Chrome, and Opera on new Windows-based PCs.

“While computer users and OEMs are already free to run any web browsing software on Windows, the Commission is considering ordering Microsoft and OEMs to obligate users to choose a particular browser when setting up a new PC,” the company reports in the filing.

“Such a remedy might include a requirement that OEMs distribute multiple browsers on new Windows-based PCs. We may also be required to disable certain unspecified Internet Explorer software code if a user chooses a competing browser.”

If this does actually happen, it may turn out to be a huge blow to Internet Explorer’s browser market share. An interesting note is that if Microsoft is charged with failure to comply with EU ruling, the penalty may come into effect around the same time that Windows 7 is released (which is predicted to come out later this year or during the first quarter of next year), which could potentially seriously impact Microsoft’s performance in Europe.

I personally think this ruling is ridiculous, even as an avid Firefox user. It is of my belief that a software company should be able to bundle what they want with their own product, especially if that product doesn’t even cost a cent to use. Also, a web browser is an essential part of an operating system — I mean, what OS doesn’t have their web browser of choice bundled with it?

Thoughts?