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EU launches new Microsoft probes EU launches new Microsoft probes
(about 2 hours 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 probe, the Commission will look at the interoperability of Microsoft software with rival products.In a parallel probe, the Commission will look at the interoperability of Microsoft software with rival products.
The firm said it would cooperate with the latest enquiry. In October, the EU ruled the firm broke antitrust rules.The firm said it would cooperate with the latest enquiry. In October, the EU ruled the firm broke antitrust rules.
"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."
The latest investigation by the Commission follows after two complaints, one by Norwegian company Opera, the other by pan-European software-makers group European Committee for Interoperable Systems.The latest investigation by the Commission follows after two complaints, one by Norwegian company Opera, the other by pan-European software-makers group European Committee for Interoperable Systems.
Long-running battleLong-running battle
FROM THE DOT.LIFE BLOG What's the issue? The old one about Microsoft's dominance crowding out rivals in both new and old areas of software Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC technology correspondent Read Rory's thoughts in full
The move by the Commission's competition officials restarts a long-running battle between Brussels and Microsoft that many thought had finally come to an end last year.The move by the Commission's competition officials restarts a long-running battle between Brussels and 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.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).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.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.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.It also said it would substantially cut the fees it charges for such data.