Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

Out-Law News

Commission gives Microsoft more time on competition concerns


The European Commission has given Microsoft additional time to respond to its concerns that the software giant abused its market power.

In early August, the Commission sent a statement of objections to Microsoft for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the market for PC operating systems software by leveraging this power into the market for server software.

This followed a complaint by rival software company Sun Microsystems that Microsoft breached European Union antitrust rules by engaging in discriminatory licensing and by refusing to supply essential information on its Windows operating systems. Microsoft was given two months to respond but the deadline has now been extended until mid-November.

If the Commission ultimately rules that Microsoft did abuse its dominant position, it has the power to fine Microsoft any sum up to the equivalent of 10% of its worldwide revenues.

We are processing your request. \n Thank you for your patience. An error occurred. This could be due to inactivity on the page - please try again.