Microsoft and EU Talks End

Paul Longford writes "Microsoft talks with the EC have collapsed. The competition commisioner Mario Monti just made this statement in which he said: 'I'd just like to inform you that a settlement on the Microsoft case has not been possible. I therefore intend to propose to my colleagues in the Commission next Wednesday to adopt a decision, which has already received the unanimous backing of Member States.' This is bad news for Microsoft - it looking at a considerable fine and possibly being forced to open up Windows. It looks like it will be a harsh decision too. Monti says: 'In the end, I had to decide what was best for competition and consumers in Europe. I believe they will be better served with a decision that creates a strong precedent.'"

Comments

And he is well backed

[MrIrwin]

This is not an outspoken opinion either. Member states have been unanimous on this and Monty has tried all ways to come to a comprise. The EU know what they are up against and have bullet proofed thier position against drawn out appeals.

This could be more fun than the SCO fiasco....Bill, open the file marked JudgementDay.pif :-)

No it is still bad for them

[codepunk]

1. A appeal request does not have to be granted.
2. A appeal does not guarantee that the restrictions being placed on them will not be imposed while the appeal is running.

Speaking of sentiments...

[ControlFreal]

... There seems to be a good amount of "they-are-all-out-to-get-us" sentiment in the parent's remark. Let's put some things in perspective here:

You see, courts in Europe have this strange idea that they are there to enforce the law and protect consumers. To make matters more absurd, they choose to stick to their principles even if large companies are involved. Strange, huh? ;)

And now the facts: the EU will, and has done so numerous times in the past, also punish European companies if they break antitrust laws. A complete list of antitrust cases from 1964 is here. And to give a nice example: in the cases so far in 2004, all of the listed companies are European.

That goes to show you.

Re:Ding Dong the Witch is Dead..

[insomaniac]

I (as a dutchman) call bullshit on that, Clinton was a popular US president here in .nl. Sure we made american jokes, but those where on the same level as belgian jokes, which means they wheren't serious at all. Bush has been the worst PR your country has had in quite some time. He makes your country look like a t-rex with the brain that goes with it...