Kroes fines Microsoft Û899m

The European Commission announced yesterday (27 February) a record Û899 million fine of US software giant Microsoft for failing to comply with an order to ensure interoperability with its rivals' products.

Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said that the fine, for charging excessive fees to rivals between the Commis-sion's ruling in March 2004 and October 2007, was "proportionate" and was only 60% of the maximum that the Commission could have charged. In its March 2004 ruling that the company had abused its dominant position in the market for PC operating systems, the Commission ordered Microsoft to ensure interoperability by provid-ing key information about its products data at "reason-able and non-discrimina-tory" rates. The fine brings the total amount Microsoft has been fined to Û1.676 billion, including the initial Û497 million for abuse of its market position and a later fine of Û280.5m in July 2006 for failing to provide interoperability data.

The European Commission announced yesterday (27 February) a record Û899 million fine of US software giant Microsoft for failing to comply with an order to ensure interoperability with its rivals' products.