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| EU launches new Microsoft probes | EU launches new Microsoft probes |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The European Commission is launching two new anti-competition investigations against US computer giant Microsoft. | The European Commission is launching two new anti-competition investigations against US computer giant Microsoft. |
| The first will look at whether Microsoft unfairly ties its Explorer internet browser to its Windows operating system. | The first will look at whether Microsoft unfairly ties its Explorer internet browser to its Windows operating system. |
| In a parallel investigation, the Commission will look at the interoperability of Microsoft software with rival products. | |
| Microsoft agreed to comply with Brussels' previous ruling in October. | Microsoft agreed to comply with Brussels' previous ruling in October. |
| "This initiation of proceedings does not imply that the Commission has proof of an infringement," said the Commission in a statement. | "This initiation of proceedings does not imply that the Commission has proof of an infringement," said the Commission in a statement. |
| "It only signifies that the Commission will further investigate the case as a matter of priority." | "It only signifies that the Commission will further investigate the case as a matter of priority." |
| Microsoft has yet to comment. | Microsoft has yet to comment. |
| Long-running battle | |
| The latest move by the Commission's competition officials restarts a long-running battle between Brussels and the Microsoft that many thought had finally come to an end last year. | |
| In October 2007, Microsoft agreed to comply with the Commission's 2004 ruling that it broke European Union competition laws. | |
| The US firm's move came after it lost an appeal against the verdict, which included a fine of almost 500m euros ($745m; £380m). | |
| In that case, Microsoft was judged to have shut out rivals from its Windows operating system to gain a larger share of the market for web servers. | |
| Microsoft pledged in October to give third party program developers access to information that will allow them to make systems interoperable with Windows. | |
| It also said it would substantially cut the fees it charges for such data. |