Tech group ECIS has today been granted third party status to testify in the Brussels probe into whether Microsoft abused its dominant browser market position.

The organisation that represents the likes of IBM, Red Hat and Sun Microsystems confirmed today it had joined Google and Mozilla in being allowed to have its voice heard by the European Commission.

"Smaller, more innovative browser developers need a level playing field. That is why there is such broad support for the Commission’s preliminary findings of abuse.”

Last month the EC extended an eight-week deadline it had imposed on Microsoft in January, when Brussels issued its preliminary findings that stated MS had violated anti-trust laws by bundling Internet Explorer with the Windows OS.

Rival browser makers have already declared their interest in the bunfight with Microsoft. Opera initially kicked off the legal spat by complaining to the Commission in December 2007.

Following the EC's prelim Statement of Objections against Microsoft in January, Firefox maker Mozilla and Chrome maker Google announced separately their intentions to back European watchdogs' proceedings against Redmond. ®

Related stories

• Mozilla mauls Microsoft on IE, Windows 7 bundle (7 May 2009)
• IBM's dynamic infrastructure taking shape (29 April 2009)
• Microsoft gets second extension in IE EU antitrust brouhaha (16 April 2009)
• EC retires the Microsoft watchdog (4 March 2009)
• Google backs EU's Microsoft antitrust battle (24 February 2009)
• Mozilla calls for 'open web' in EU Microsoft row (12 February 2009)
• EC will force users to pick a Windows browser, says Microsoft (29 January 2009)
• Opera hits Microsoft with EC complaint (13 December 2007)