The European Competition Competitioner Mario Monti today confirmed that Brussels would rule against Microsoft
Published:
19 March 2004 y., Friday
The European Competition Competitioner Mario Monti today confirmed that Brussels would rule against Microsoft - the World's biggest software company - for breaking EU competition rules.
Top level talks between Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer and Mr Monti failed to break the deadlock in the investigation, which has been in progress for five years, although Mr Ballmer is thought to have made some concessions to European concerns.
And today Mr Monti told an impromptu press conference in Brussels, "I'd just like to inform you that a settlement on the Microsoft case has not been possible".
He added that he wanted to create a "clear precedent" which would be better for consumers and competition.
The amount of the fine, which could be as high as ten percent of Microsoft's turnover, will be decided next Wednesday (24 March).
In addition, the EU could force Microsoft to offer versions of its Windows operating system without certain features, notably Windows media player - which allows users to download audio and video clips.
Brussels believes that Microsoft's practice of including this media player with its Windows system - known as "bundling" - is an abuse of its dominant market position.
Microsoft - which employs 12,000 people in Europe - saw its share price decline sharply by around two percent in European trading on the news.
Šaltinis:
euobserver.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
The European Commission launched "The ocean of tomorrow " call for research proposals. Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface, but human activity is increasing environmental pressure on them.
more »
The EBRD is stepping up its support to the real economy in Georgia with new funds for on-lending to local businesses.
more »
Lithuania’s Ambassador to Germany and Special Representative for EU External Relations in the German Foreign Office discussed the situation regarding the decision of private credit insurance company in Germany Euler Hermes to apply the rating of a maximum risk country for Lithuania.
more »
Peter Reiniger Business Group Director for Central Europe and the Western Balkans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development visited Latvia to sign subordinated loan agreement with Parex banka.
more »
The European Commission has approved 16 programmes in 12 Member States to provide information on and to promote agricultural products in the European Union.
more »
New measures to help farmers through recession as milk prices tumble.
more »
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the outlook for the long-suffering U.S. economy appears to be improving.
more »
The Swiss Government and the EBRD are providing €11.8 million to improve the supply of water to some 1 million people living in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic.
more »
The Neighbourhood Investment Facility (NIF), a key instrument of the intensified European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), will benefit in 2009 from a €70 million contribution by the European Commission.
more »
In response to the impact of the global crisis on the Romanian construction sector, the EBRD is supporting Lafarge Ciment (Romania) S.A. with a €20 million loan in Romanian lei to finance the company’s operations and to support its working capital requirements.
more »