I’m sure you can also feel the winds of change. Just 10 years ago, Microsoft won a similar suite against Netscape. At least back then, Netscape’s argument was a little more convincing than Google’s:
Google had alleged that the Windows Vista search feature slows down its competing Google Desktop Search… [and] had argued that Microsoft Vista’s indexing service cannot be easily shut off and creates a drag on system resources when operating at the same time as rival indexers.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t GDS also cause a drag on Vista’s search? I don’t think you could argue that whoever installs GDS would definitely throw away “rival indexers”. In fact, some indexers are better than others in different tasks.
But the winds of change aren’t Google’s attitude. My surprise came from Microsoft’s response:
In response to Google’s complaint, Microsoft last week has agreed to make changes in its Windows Vista operating system, solving the issues that its computer search function put Google Inc. and other potential rivals at a disadvantage.
I don’t think I’ve seen Microsoft react this quick and positively to such law suites; these people don’t seem to crumble at the pressure of the law. I would think they know a move like this (namely allowing to select a default desktop search) wouldn’t tip the scales much in either party’s favor.
Microsoft’s a changing company.