EU issues fine warning to Microsoft
28 April 2005
The European Union has warned Microsoft that it could face additional fines if it does not speed up compliance with legislation.
Microsoft was found guilty of abusing its dominant market position and preventing competition in March 2004. The software giant was fined 497 million euros (£343 million) and ordered to open up its core software systems to rivals.
An EU spokesman told reporters that Microsoft could incur additional fines of up to five per cent of its daily global turnover if it did not help software manufacturers make programmes compatible with the company's Windows operating system.
Speaking after a meeting between EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes and Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, Jonathan Todd said Europe remained unhappy with Microsoft's efforts and its failure to provide an adequate version of Windows without its own Windows Media Player.
"Over a year has elapsed and as of today we are not in a position to say that we are satisfied that Microsoft has complied fully with that decision," he said. "Mrs Kroes said that the Commission expects the decision adopted in March 2004 to be complied with urgently and in full, and she added that unless this was the case that the Commission would be obliged to take formal steps to ensure compliance."
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