Microsoft faces new EU antitrust complaint
European trade group requests sanctions from EC
Brussels (pte040/11.02.2003/13:45) European rivals of Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, have launched a fresh antitrust offensive at the European Commission (EC) http://europa.eu.int level, accusing Microsoft of unfairly using its Windows operating system to enter new markets.
Several European companies and subsidiaries of Microsoft's competitors have joined together in a trade group, which includes Nokia, Eastman Kodak, NTT Communications, Sun Microsystems and Oracle. They have urged the EC to sanction Microsoft for using Windows to break into new markets, in particular the field of music and video-editing software.
The complaint specifically alleges that Microsoft used the newest version of it s operating system, Windows XP, to strengthen its monopoly.
Computer and Communications Industry Association President Ed Black told Bloomberg: ``We've laid out a very strong case as to why Microsoft's continued illegal behavior is a serious threat to competition and harmful to consumers, and why it's something which calls out for effective remedies.''
Microsoft already faces a potential European Union fine for abusing the dominant position of Windows, which runs 90 percent of the world's personal computers. Competition Commissioner Mario Monti intends to rule on that case by June.
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