Microsoft disputed billion fine imposed on it in Europe
After long reflection, Microsoft is all the same decided to challenge a giant fine imposed on it by the European Commission as early as last year. The grounds for a fine of 899 million euros (1.39 billion dollars) Microsoft was violating regulations made by the European Commission in 2004. Then the corporation was once fined for 497 million euros for violations of European anti-monopoly legislation, in addition she was ordered to disclose to competitors the technical information on several of their products so that competing companies can ensure compatibility with its own development on Microsoft.
In 2006, Microsoft was impounded at an additional fine of 280 million euros because of European Union antitrust authorities came to the conclusion that Microsoft failed to comply with the requirements of the European Commission.
A fine of 899 million euros represents the amount of the daily penalty payment in the period between June 21, 2006 and October 21, 2007, which, according to European regulators, Microsoft had to pay for its failure to comply with regulations. June 21, representatives of the European Commission put Microsoft in appearance, that fee, which is charged with competitors for access to technical information, is too high, and in the EU antitrust authorities saw signs of abuse of market position. October 21, Microsoft lowered prices almost doubled licensing fees, to a level that satisfies the European Commission.
Currently, Microsoft has fulfilled all requirements governing body of European Union; even released a special version of Windows XP N, devoid of any embedded multimedia. As is typical, this version of Windows XP does not enjoy particularly popular.
Microsoft Outlook appeal unclear, but in Europe with the corporation is not a ceremony, so as writes Ars Technica, clouds continue to thicken: since the beginning of this year initiated two more antitrust investigation against corporations, in addition the company is accused of deliberately restricting interoperability of its development with the products of competitors . Dovershenie In all, at the end of 2007 Opera filed a formal complaint to Microsoft for "illegal" embedding Internet Explorer with Windows and its refusal to follow the "basic open standards."
Some stories do not end, it seems, never.