Internet Explorer (or "IE") is an Internet browser that comes standard with Microsoft Windows. Because of this ubiquity, it has been one of the most widely used browsers for years; its market share has declined, however, as some users switch to other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox.Market Share: Browser Version Market Share

Microsoft confirmed on April 29, 2009, that they had submitted a formal response to European Union charges that their bundling of Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows program violates antitrust laws. EU regulators allege that bundling the programs gives Internet Explorer an unfair advantage to other web browsers like Firefox, Google Chrome and Apple's Safari. In 2008, Norwegian-developed browser Opera filed a complaint with the EU, asking that they either force Microsoft to sell a version of Windows that does not include the Internet Explorer browser or includes other browsers with Windows.Associated Press: Microsoft responds to EU browser antitrust... (April 28, 2009)

The inclusion of IE into Windows has caused controversy and accusations of unfair market practices. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice filed charges against Microsoft claiming unfair business practices and for having a monopoly on the operating system/browser market.USDOJ.gov: Justice Department Files... Suit Against Microsoft... (May 18, 1998)