Microsoft alters IE over Eolas suit
eWeek | at | by Mike
Microsoft late Monday announced a series of changes to Internet Explorer to address a recent jury verdict against it in a Web browser patent infringement lawsuit. New retail and OEM versions of Windows XP will have a modified version of Internet Explorer 6 in early 2004 but Microsoft has not yet determined whether it also will alter IE service packs or downloads, said Michael Wallent, general manager of the Windows Client Platform at Microsoft.
In the modified IE, Microsoft is changing the way the browser handles Web pages that use Microsoft's ActiveX Controls, its version of an applet, including Macromedia Flash, Apple QuickTime, Real Networks RealOne, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Sun Java Virtual Machine and Windows Media Player.
The change will mean that Web developers must update methods used in Web pages with ActiveX Controls or users will face a dialog box asking them to click "OK" for the Web browser to load the control, Microsoft officials said.