Google fights IE7 in Washington, Brussels

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 1 (UPI) -- Google Inc. is complaining to Washington and Brussels about the way Microsoft Corp. is muscling its way into the Internet search business.

Of particular concern to Google is Microsoft's new Web browser, Internet Explorer 7, which includes a search box in the upper-right corner that is typically set up to send users to Microsoft's MSN search service, the New York Times said Monday. Google contends that this puts Microsoft in a position to unfairly grab Web traffic and advertising dollars from its competitors.

Google says that limits consumer choice and is reminiscent of the tactics that got Microsoft into antitrust trouble in the late 1990's.

"The market favors open choice for search, and companies should compete for users based on the quality of their search services," said Marissa Mayer, the vice president for search products at Google. "We don't think its right for Microsoft to just set the default to MSN. We believe users should choose."

In response, Microsoft replies: If that's really a problem, change the default settings.

Google has been voicing its concerns to U.S. and European Union regulators.