Microsoft Fails to Comply with EC Antitrust Sanctions

On Thursday, the European Commission threatened to fine Microsoft every day until it complies with antitrust sanctions.  The European Union rejected the company appeal a year ago, Reuters reports.

The sanctions are a part of a March 2004 ruling that Microsoft had abused its global market dominance to eliminate competition.

Microsoft may face fines up to $2.37 million a day (or 2 million euros) unless it complies with an order to provide documentation that would allow competitors’ group servers to work with the company’s ubiquitous Windows operating system.

“I have given Microsoft every opportunity to comply with its obligations,” said EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes. “I have been left with no alternative other than to proceed via the formal route to ensure Microsoft’s compliance.”

The computer giant has five weeks to reply to the Commission’s statement of obligations and to file for an oral hearing.

By Al Sacco