The European Commission initiated new antitrust proceedings against Microsoft last month for bundling Internet Explorer with its Windows operating system, and now the open-source group behind Firefox has become involved as well. Specifically, Mozilla has been granted what's called "interested third party" status in the case, which allows it to submit arguments to the European regulator and access confidential case files.
Mozilla Foundation chairperson Mitchell Baker has stated her full support for the EU's conviction that Microsoft's tying of IE to Windows is harmful to the competition and says it will offer full cooperation. The case initially stemmed from a complaint filed by rival browser maker Opera and gives Microsoft two months to respond to the allegations which, if substantiated, could force Microsoft to change the way it distributes IE or even be required to include rival browsers with its operating system.
Interestingly enough, one of the key developers behind Firefox says he doesn't agree with the latter solution, and claims that their current market share (over 20% worldwide) is proof that Microsoft's tactics don't hurt competition or at least that rival browsers can overcome monopolies by proving to users that they are better.