BRUSSELS–Microsoft is expected to appeal last week’s decision by the European Union to fine the software giant a record $610 million for alleged antitrust violations.
The EU’s competition commissioner Mario Monti announced the fine last Wednesday, which was levied on Microsoft for using its dominant position on the market to muscle out competition.
It is the biggest-ever fine in the history of EU anti-trust regulation. The fine was calculated as 8% of Microsoft’s revenue from its Europe, Asia and Middle East division.
Commissioner Monti also ordered Microsoft to release a version of its Windows operating system in Europe without the music and video playing Windows Media Player.
This should, he argued, allow rivals like RealNetworks RealPlayer and Apple Computer Quicktime to compete more fairly.
Microsoft will also have to release to rivals in the server market more of the underlying code for Windows, which runs more than 95% of all personal computers
“Today’s decision restores the conditions for fair competition in the markets concerned,” Monti said.
