EU Commish Surprised by MS Source Code Offer

Neelie Kroes, the European Union’s (EU) competition commissioner, said Thursday that Microsoft’s offer to release the source code behind its Windows operating system was a surprise, CNET News.com reports.

“It was a surprise that they decided to disclose the source code,” Kroes said.

Kroes and her staff are currently determining whether or not the offer will resolve a spat in which the European Commission has threatened Microsoft with fines of $2 million-a-day until it complied with the EU’s antitrust rulings.  For background, check out Microsoft to License Windows Source Code, Microsoft Will Appeal EU Ruling and Microsoft Granted Extension for Fine-Proposal Reply.

-Al Sacco