Perhaps the European Commission feels that Microsoft’s song of interoperability is all talk. That’s why it did not hesitate to fine the software giant with a hefty 899 million Euros or $1.35 billion for failure to comply with its antitrust decision.
Apparently, Microsoft had abused its dominant 95% market share in the EU market by using high prices to block software competition. There are also allegations that it tied its Windows Media Player and web browser Internet Explorer to Windows. In 2004, Microsoft had failed to comply with EU’s order to open up its key software to competitors. To date, this is the first and the biggest penalty for such violation.
Of course, Microsoft downplayed the issue because these violations happened in the past. Now, it’s a renewed company with nothing on its mind but interoperability and openness. But the fight is not yet over. This year there are now interoperability issues about its Microsoft Office software such as Word.
Hey, Microsoft, it’s time to face the music and clean up your act if you want to regain the lost trust of the might European Commission.
Read [Reuters]
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