Perhaps this is Microsoft, or someone who works there, thumbing their nose(s) at the EU - after all, what monopolistic corporation wouldn't be bitter at not having been able to buy out such an influential quasi-government organization [edit: and, worse, be forced to advertise on behalf of one's competitors]?

Don't get me wrong: I'm no fan of MS or IE. But I can see why they might deliberately fail to implement this correctly. [edit: ...]