Microsoft was ordered in 2004 to supply "complete and accurate"
documentation which would allow other technology companies to write
software which worked on PCs and servers running Microsoft Windows.
It was also fined €497 million. Microsoft has agreed and missed a
number of deadlines for the provision of that information, the
Commission said.
"The Commission recalls that Microsoft was ordered by the March
2004 Decision to supply the relevant complete and accurate
interface documentation within four months of the Decision (i.e.
July 2004)," said a Commission statement. "Microsoft subsequently
committed to and missed a number of deadlines for delivering
complete and accurate specifications, the last on 19th July
2006."
The Commission levied a further €280.5 million fine on Microsoft
for that delay and said that the penalty for continued
non-compliance would rise on 30th July from €2 million to €3
million a day.
Microsoft has said that it is prepared to give the Commission
the remaining information. "We stand ready to do any additional
work that is required to comply with the Commission's decision,''
said a Microsoft statement.
Once processed, the documentation will be turned over to
Microsoft's rivals who will decide whether or not it represents
sufficient information for interoperability with Microsoft
software.
The Commission said that it wants the remaining information to
be provided by 23rd November so that other technology companies can
review the material by the end of November to determine whether or
not it is sufficient.
Professor Neil Barrett is the Commission's 'monitoring trustee',
and is helping the Commission to interpret the information and
monitor Microsoft's compliance with the Commission's rulings.
