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
On 22 of June this year, the board of the newly established company of AB Bank SNORAS - UAB “SNORO Media Investicijos” - made a decision to invest in the shares of UAB “Lietuvos rytas” and to acquire 34 per cent of the authorised capital of the company.
more »
The Banker's Exchange is joining forces with Chicago-based Intergam Logistics as part of a global expansion initiative into the ATM support market.
more »
Lisbon treaty and financial supervision dominate debate at EU summit.
more »
In the most sweeping financial reform proposal since the Great Depression, President Barack Obama unveiled plans to overhaul the U.S. financial regulatory system, saying the events that led to the U.S. financial crisis make the proposed changes necessary.
more »
Due to the rising concerns on a possible disruption of Russian gas supplies to Europe coming through Ukraine, the Commission has chaired a meeting of the Gas Coordination Group to assure a stronger EU coordination and to secure energy supplies to European citizens.
more »
Mexico signs an agreement with Google to help revive tourism at its historical sites, after the swine flu epidemic.
more »
The recession could hit working women harder than men, an EU study warns, underscoring persistent disparities between the sexes in the European labour market.
more »
The first 4 months of 2009 saw 25 percent more FBI background checks on prospective firearm buyers compared to the same period last year in US.
more »
AS “Latvijas Krājbanka”, managed by AB Bank SNORAS, was presented with the annual prize of Deutsche Bank AG, one of the largest European banks, for the excellent quality of the outgoing payments.
more »
Danske Bankas has made another increase in the interest rate for fixed-term deposits in litas for both private and corporate clients.
more »