NOT the Majority Opinion

Is this an indication that Europe is doing well in the consumer protection front or the trade conflict between Europe and the US has reached a new level?

In Short: Computer giant Microsoft risks having daily fines imposed on it if it fails to fully implement a European Commission decision on code sharing.

Brief News: Talks, reportedly instigated by Microsoft’s Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, with Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes on 26 April, appear to have failed to solve the long-standing row. Microsoft must comply with the Commission ruling "urgently and in full" or face further penalties (See EurActiv 29 March 2005).

In March 2004 the Commission ruled that Microsoft was abusing its dominant position by excluding competitors from the hugely lucrative computer market. It required the company to issue a separate version of Microsoft Windows which did not include Media Player and to open up its codes to competitors to allow interoperability of rival software. It also levied a fine of €497 million.

The Commission is not satisfied that Microsoft has adequately met the terms of the ruling and may now levy fines of up to 5% per day of the company’s daily turnover. This could amount to €3.8 million per day. Microsoft is appealing the Commission decision but an application to delay compliance with the original ruling pending the appeal was rejected by the European Court of Justice in December 2004. http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-138709-16&type=News