D
Daeron
Brussels in new Microsoft probe http://snurl.com/2rt1
Daniel Dombey Oct 29 2003 Brussels
The European Commission has opened a new front in its battle with
Microsoft because of suspicions that the software giant's licensing
policy towards hardware manufacturers unfairly restricts competition.
The Brussels regulator has sent 20 equipment manufacturers formal
enquiries concerning their licences with Microsoft.
The Commission is worried that the terms of the deals ..could impair
competition by restricting the hardware groups' ability to enforce
software patents of their own.
The Commission said: "We confirm that a series of letters were sent to
equipment manufacturers in which we requested information on agreements
they have entered into with Microsoft.
"We do this because companies have expressed concern about their
licensing conditions. But we have not reached any conclusions yet. We
have not contacted Microsoft now because we are still at the preliminary
fact-finding stage."
..
..
Brussels is already pursuing a separate, high-profile antitrust case
against Microsoft concerning its alleged leverage over the server market
and "bundling" of Windows Media Player software into the Windows
operating system. It sent the company a final warning in August and will
hold formal hearings on the case next month. It hopes to reach a
decision early next year.
It has made clear its intention to ask Microsoft to share more server
information, detach Media Player from Windows and pay a fine. The
Brussels body also has a pending complaint from companies such as Sun
Microsystems, IBM and Oracle to look into Microsoft's Windows XP
operating system ...
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentS...y&c=StoryFT&cid=1066565476225&p=1012571727085
Daniel Dombey Oct 29 2003 Brussels
The European Commission has opened a new front in its battle with
Microsoft because of suspicions that the software giant's licensing
policy towards hardware manufacturers unfairly restricts competition.
The Brussels regulator has sent 20 equipment manufacturers formal
enquiries concerning their licences with Microsoft.
The Commission is worried that the terms of the deals ..could impair
competition by restricting the hardware groups' ability to enforce
software patents of their own.
The Commission said: "We confirm that a series of letters were sent to
equipment manufacturers in which we requested information on agreements
they have entered into with Microsoft.
"We do this because companies have expressed concern about their
licensing conditions. But we have not reached any conclusions yet. We
have not contacted Microsoft now because we are still at the preliminary
fact-finding stage."
..
..
Brussels is already pursuing a separate, high-profile antitrust case
against Microsoft concerning its alleged leverage over the server market
and "bundling" of Windows Media Player software into the Windows
operating system. It sent the company a final warning in August and will
hold formal hearings on the case next month. It hopes to reach a
decision early next year.
It has made clear its intention to ask Microsoft to share more server
information, detach Media Player from Windows and pay a fine. The
Brussels body also has a pending complaint from companies such as Sun
Microsystems, IBM and Oracle to look into Microsoft's Windows XP
operating system ...
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentS...y&c=StoryFT&cid=1066565476225&p=1012571727085