Microsoft Appeals Against Fine to Decide Against Anti-Monopoly Combat

Netease Technology News June 26, according to Bloomberg News, the EU anti-monopoly investigation of Microsoft resulted in the company was fined more than 1.68 billion euros (about 2.1 billion US dollars), and after the European Court of Justice on the Microsoft Appeals fined decision The decade-long protest is expected to end.

Microsoft had not previously provided data to competitors in accordance with the anti-monopoly order issued in 2004 to help them be compatible with the Windows system, so it was fined $899 million. The company asked the EU General Court to revoke the fine. Earlier, Microsoft had been fined 497 million euros and 280.5 million euros, and the fine was second only to Intel’s US$1.06 billion.

“The fines for Microsoft and Intel did send a message,” said Ted Henneberry, a lawyer at the law firm Bingham McCutchen LLP. “These are a thing of the past, and companies are now realizing that they must work together with the European Union. The days of the committee will be better."

In 2004, Microsoft's Windows system accounted for 95% of the market. At that time, European Union regulators imposed a fine of 497 million euros on the company and ordered it to provide a system version without a music and video player. Today, just as PC sales are declining globally, Microsoft is preparing to launch its first tablet and challenge Apple’s iPad.

Microsoft is the only company in more than 50 years that has been fined by the EU antitrust agency for failing to comply with orders. The company agreed to reach a settlement in 2009 to repair its relationship with the European Commission.

For Microsoft’s odds in the case tomorrow, the company’s Brussels spokesperson Robin Koch and European Commission spokesperson Antoine Colombani declined to comment before the verdict . If it loses, Microsoft may make a final appeal against the European Court of Justice's decision.

Licensing guidelines Microsoft told a hearing last year that regulators should provide it with more guidance to avoid fines. In accordance with the initial ruling, Microsoft was ordered to provide data to competitors so that the latter could connect the server to a computer with a Windows system. Microsoft has also been asked to limit licensing fees to a reasonable range.

Microsoft also questioned the EU's commission of independent agencies to monitor its compliance with the 2004 ruling. Although Microsoft lost its appeal against the initial fine, the court ruled that it was inappropriate for regulators to compel Microsoft to authorize independent trustees to access their files, facilities, and software source code.