Embedded Content Fix for IE Update

Article ID: KB101593

What's the issue?

In August 2003, a federal court ruled that Microsoft had infringed on a patent related to plug-in technology used in Internet Explorer owned by the University of California and licensed to Eolas Technologies Inc. "Plug-ins" include objects like Flash movies and Java Applets, as well as any other components that use the EMBED, APPLET, or OBJECT HTML tags. This case is still under appeal and there is expected to be retrial in 2006. If your web site has a Flash or Swish animation, you'll want to read on.

In March 2006 Microsoft decided to make some changes to Internet Explorer 6, so Flash movies that require interaction (i.e., require you to click on them to use them) will require an extra click to interact with them. Internet Explorer may also display a message that tells the user to hit the space bar or enter to interact with the movie, whether or not the movie requires you to interact with it. In late April 2006, Microsoft included this update as part of Windows Automatic Update.

What can I do?

If you already have a web site up that has Flash content, you will want to make the recommended updates to the HTML code. There are several solutions provided by Macromedia, Microsoft, Adobe, and others, but we've found Geoff Stearns' SWFObject embed script (formerly called FlashObject) to be the easiest to integrate and one of the most elegant, clean solutions. To make it a little easier for customers who aren't familiar with programming and scripting, we've put together a tutorial that explains how to integrate Geoff's script with your site.

What about products in the PixelMill catalog?

As of April 24, 2006, PixelMill is working with developers to update any products in the catalog that have Flash content to use the SWFObject code, so the Flash content will display as normally expected in Internet Explorer. Until the end of May, 2006, you may see warning notices on templates that have Flash in the template and have not been updated. Customers may choose to purchase these products and update the HTML code using the provided SWFObject tutorials and video demo. If you have a question about a specific product please contact the developer directly to find out if the product will be updated and when the update will be available. By June 1, 2006 all products containing Flash elements will be updated or will no longer be available for purchase.

Go to Flash Detection Using SWFObject to find out how to fix the IE embedded content issue.

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Links and Resources

Tools:

• Microsoft's IE Update Site [msdn.microsoft.com]- Download an updated IE to test your web pages.
• Active Content Reporter for Frontpage [www.office-power.com] - This add-in REPORTS ActiveX components in web sites (if you didn't already know where your Flash movie code is).

More information on updating your pages (the same material as this page):

• How-tos from Apple's site for embedding QuickTime movies [developer.apple.com]
• Macromedia's how-tos for embedding Flash movies [www.macromedia.com]
• RealNetwork's how-tos for embedding RealMedia [www.realnetworks.com]

Information on the Microsoft IE Update:

• Microsoft tweaks Explorer to address ruling [news.com.com]
• Changes to Internet Explorer ActiveX Control Handling [msdn.microsoft.com]

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