Microsoft Bows To European Union Antitrust Measures

[OhioChick]

Source: Reuters

Microsoft ended three years of resistance on Monday and agreed to comply with a landmark 2004 antitrust decision by the European Commission.

By Reuters
InformationWeek
October 22, 2007 08:29 AM



BRUSSELS, Oct 22 - Microsoft Corp ended three years of resistance on Monday and finally agreed to comply with a landmark 2004 antitrust decision by the European Commission.

The defeated software giant announced it would not appeal against a decisive European Union court ruling two months ago that backed the Commission.

"The repercussions of these changes will start now and will continue for years to come," Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told a news conference, adding that Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)'s agreement will have "profound effects" on the software industry.

"It is a victory for the consumer", she said.



Read more: http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202600101

[kineneb]

1. heh, heh.

:evilgrin:

[Massacure]

2. This doesn't necessarily mean that things with Microsoft will change in the U.S. n/t

[jordi_fanclub]

3. Headline should read... fine "grand-total" on Oct 22 = $1.1 billions (with "B")

as of today: < fine is 497 million euros from 2004 and a further 280.5 million euros... grand total: 777.5 million euros = $1.1 billions >


"The major issues with Microsoft have been resolved, Kroes said, cautioning that Microsoft could still face penalties
for overcharging royalties on interoperability information. Backdated daily fines would stop as of Oct. 22.

Kroes said the EU order set a precedent for Microsoft's future behavior in other
areas - such as its Office software and its new Windows Vista operating system.

"Microsoft should bear this in mind," Kroes said. "The shop is still open,
I can assure you ... there are a couple of other cases still on our desk..."


http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071022/eu_microsoft.html