They just cant help it can they.

Microsoft will once again be back up in front of the courts for self promotion as they were 12 years ago with the promotion of IE4. Only this time it is IE8.

Many of you will have noticed the latest windows updates, requiring you to install IE8 as this is now being classed as an important upgrade. Many of you may not have noticed the small print on the user agreement which states that once IE8 is installed you will accept it to become your default search browser. For those who are unfortunate to have experienced this I share your frustration. Microsoft is clearly using its own operating system as a means of promotion its other products.

Many of you who are old enough will recall a very similar technique being used when Microsoft promoted IE4 using similar methods. At this time the rival was Netscape who eventually were bought by AOL. In 95′ Netscape enjoyed its almost monopolisation of the web browser market. However with Microsoft’s new OS on the horizon with its on board web browser, Netscape soon fell and Microsoft Conquered.

14 Years later Microsoft are looking to repeat history though they now face the massive force of Google defending their first new born; Chrome.

I for one will hope to keep a close eye on this and will look forward to the outcome. The case begins later in June and is due to end in July, however the bickering will continue for months after.