Microsoft focus on Brussels after U.S. decision
Reuters | at | by Mike
After a court victory for Microsoft in the United States the battle now shifts to Europe, where Competition Commissioner Mario Monti may soon impose his own set of sanctions against the software giant. Monti will make a preliminary decision by the end of the year whether to act against Microsoft for allegedly abusing dominance in its Windows operating system.
A Microsoft representative said that in the interests of trans-Atlantic consistency the company hopes the U.S. decision will become a reference point. "Legally they (the European Commission) are free to do whatever they deem appropriate," said Horacio E. Gutierrez, associate general counsel for Microsoft in Europe. But, he said, "We think that in the interests of trans-Atlantic consistency we hope they would weigh these decisions with the other facts before them." He said it is conceivable the Commission might take steps inconsistent with Kollar-Kotelly's decision. "We are looking forward to continuing the dialogue with the Commission," he said.