International Business Machines Corp. was named in a complaint in the European Union over claims it is blocking consumer access to open-source mainframe software developed by Paris-based TurboHercules SAS.
IBM, the world’s biggest provider of computer services, is preventing customers from using a so-called mainframe emulator known as Hercules, by tying its mainframe operating system to IBM hardware, closely held TurboHercules said in a statement.
“This conduct prevents TurboHercules from providing its product to mainframe customers desiring an open-source solution,” TurboHercules Chairman Roger Bowler, who developed Hercules, said today.
The Brussels-based European Commission, which polices antitrust rules in the 27-nation EU, last year imposed a record 1.06 billion-euro ($1.43 billion) fine against Intel Corp., while Microsoft Corp. in December agreed to give consumers a choice among Web browsers to avoid an EU fine.
