Julia links to some satire regarding Microsoft and the EU. I for one, as an EU citizen (a reluctant one at that - I'm English) think this is a bad move for the consumer. There's plenty of talk about home consumers don't want these features supplied as default with the OS, but no one asked me. I want these features. If I want another media player I'll download one; I happen to like WMP. Plenty of my friends don't and they've downloaded other players. I respect others views and their likes and dislikes. The EU is going to make it harder for me to get the features I want, either by extra work downloading or by paying for extra "add-ons".
I don't see why it needs to be removed anyway; why not just allow OEMs to install other players, giving consumers a choice. All it's going to mean is more problems for everyone; support, as you haven't got certain features; developers as the API will be different depending upon the country.
I'm wondering when this madness will stop. How long is it going to be before VCR manufacturers start suing Microsoft for Media Center Edition? When Longhorn comes around I want it to have rich multi-media features - I don't want to have to pay extra for them. I expect it in the OS, as befits the times. Jeez, this isn't 1980 anymore.