New antitrust probes for Microsoft in Europe

The European Commission is to launch a further two new probes into antitrust, or anti- competition allegations, against the Tec giant.

The new investigations are into alleged abuse, of its dominant place, in the software industry.
Four months ago, the E.U’s second highest court, the CFI, dismissed Microsoft’s appeal against the record fines imposed earlier.

This new investigation follows complaints by rival software companies, via its lobby group known as the ECIS, Another Microsoft rival, Opera also filed complaints.

Opera and ECIS contend, that Microsoft is still using its control of the desktop software market, to overt any competition. Mainly, by refusing to co-operate, in the sharing of ‘interoperability’ information, regarding it’s, ‘Office’ software.

The European Commission officials stated that the EU actually had any proof that Microsoft was guilty of infringement of the rules.

Microsoft says it will co-operate with the investigation, and would make every effort to ensure it complied with the September 2007 ruling by the CFI.

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