May 23, 2005

EU forces Microsoft deadline

by brian_turner

The European Commission has ruled that Microsoft must comply with the terms of a March 2004 judgement concerning the company’s market dominance, by the end of May 2005.

The judgement requires Microsoft to provide details of how it could bring its practices into line with EU rules. The European Commission has repeatedly expressed concern over Microsoft’s slowness in adhering to the judgement, although a Microsoft spokesman said that the company would continue to work towards full compliance with the decision.

The European Commission judgement imposed a 497m-euro fine and ordered Microsoft to open up its core software systems to rivals, to enable other software manufacturers to make programs that worked more seamlessly with the company’s Windows operating system.

Microsoft was also required to provide a version of Windows without its own Windows Media Player. This was to enable rival software makers an opportunity to compete, and allow computer makers to supply PCs with the media software of their choice.

Under European Union rules, Microsoft could be fined up to 5% of its daily global turnover for each day that a decision is not applied to its liking.

According to European Competition Commissioner, Neelie Kroes, it is too early to say if the case against Microsoft could be re-opened.

Story link: EU forces Microsoft deadline

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