EU to fine Microsoft
published: Tuesday | March 23, 2004

BRUSSELS, (Reuters):

AN European Union (EU) decision to fine Microsoft and force it to change how it does business in Europe may upset Microsoft, but is unlikely to threaten EU-U.S. ties as some past decisions have done.

This is in stark contrast to the sniping by U.S. officials three years ago when the EU rejected General Electric's proposed buy of aerospace firm Honeywell International, marking a low point in transatlantic antitrust co-operation.

A formal decision by European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti on Microsoft is set for tommorrow. He is expected to order the company to offer two versions of its Windows operating system: one with software for audio and video, one without. The proposed fine of hundreds of millions of euros was discussed with an EU panel yesterday and will be announced today.