Microsoft, EU Await Landmark Antitrust Decree

Verdict could change firm's business model, or embarrass EU
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 16, 2007 4:13 PM CDT
Microsoft, EU Await Landmark Antitrust Decree
(FILES) Shelves are organized shortly before the official release...   (Getty Images)

Microsoft execs will be waiting to hear if they won an antitrust appeal against the EU tomorrow, the BBC reports. A 2004 probe declared the tech giant guilty of abusing its industry status and fined it $690 million. If Microsoft pulls off a victory, analysts say, the EU commission will have to pay back fines and endure a nasty blow to its reputation.
 

The verdict may also decide how industry leaders behave toward rivals: If the EU prevails, critics say it will take more action against Microsoft and other market-dominating dynamos. Microsoft says that EU demands to allow competitors' software to run on its OS would stifle innovation. "I think we are working quite well with most firms," a Microsoft exec says. (More Microsoft stories.)

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