Microsoft gets set to file EU appeal
The software powerhouse next week plans to make its formal appeal of a European antitrust ruling that includes a massive fine and constraints on Microsoft's business practices.
As soon as the ruling was announced in March, Microsoft had vowed to appeal it. The EU fined the company a record 497 million euros ($607 million) and also ordered it to offer a version of Windows without a bundled media player. The EU also ordered the company to disclose more technical information to rivals.
What's new:
Microsoft is set to file a formal appeal of a European antitrust ruling that ordered the software maker to pay a massive fine and change its business practices.
Bottom line:
The company will argue that the ruling would harm its ability to innovate. Regulators say that the decision can withstand the legal challenge.
"We intend to file our appeal sometime next week," Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler said Wednesday.
Microsoft's appeal will be to the Court of First Instance in Luxembourg. The company has contended that the decision would harm its ability to innovate.
"We look forward to filing our appeal and believe we have a very strong case to present to the court," Desler said.
European regulators have said they believe that the ruling will hold up to any legal challenge.
"Of course, I'm confident we have produced a decision that will stand before any appeal," European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti said at a March press conference.
Microsoft is also expected to ask the Court of First Instance to delay any imposition of the remedies, but that request is not expected to be filed until later in June.