The European Commission has announced that Microsoft's decision to tie Internet Explorer with the Windows operating platform gives the program an unfair advantage in the marketplace. In a preliminary ruling, the commission said tying the two products together makes IE available on 90 percent of the world's PCs.

Therefore, IE is so prevalent in creates an incentive for Web site designers and software developers to create products compatible with it. It's clear that is further strengthening its anti-competitive advantage, according to the commission. Microsoft can request a hearing on the matter, according to a Statement of Objectives forwarded to the company.

This is not the first case of this type, as in 2004 the commission found Microsoft violated antitrust standards by tying Windows Media Player to its Windows OS. That determination was upheld by the Court of First Instance in 2007. This time, the complaint was initiated by Norway's Opera Software, and president Jon von Tetzchner hailed the news.

However, Microsoft shouldn't feel alone, as the EU commission has also targeted Intel and even Apple with separate charges or accusations, as it looks like the commission practices a stricter brand of antitrust law than the US. Anyway, Microsoft charges fall short of those leveled at Microsoft, which has proved the EU's favorite source of antitrust fine revenue over the years, being forced to pay over $2.4 billion in fines.

For now, Microsoft is reviewing the statement and deciding whether to fight the charges by requesting a formal hearing. The company has been given an eight week deadline to reply to the charges. However, Microsoft's appeals against fines have been consistently failing, so it would appear logically for them to not do this now.