By Joe Fay for The
Register.
This article has been reproduced with permission.
The FT reports that the commission has drafted a
decision which says Microsoft had not fully adhered to the 2004
ruling. The ruling is due to go to member countries before being
unveiled on 12 July, the paper says. It cites an EU spokesman
saying the commission would decide by the end of July on whether to
impose a daily fine of up to €2m a day.
The sticking point appears to be whether or not Microsoft has
gone far enough in providing information about its operating system
to rival companies. Microsoft has consistently insisted it is
sticking to the spirit of the 2004 ruling while emphasising the
complexities involved in providing the documentation.
According to Reuters, Microsoft believes any fine would be
"unjustified and unnecessary".
Earlier this month, Microsoft's European president Jean-Philippe
Courtois said the company is "some more months" away from a
settlement with the European Commission.
From Microsoft's point of view, the Commissions trustee, Neil
Barrett outlined the format for the documentation back in April.
Microsoft says it has delivered five of an agreed seven tranches.
The final tranche is due on July 18.
The likely latest date for the EC's decision to be signed off is
thought to be July 19.
Of course, should Microsoft win its appeal against the whole
decision, this whole process could become completely acamdemic.
© The Register
2006
