[Am-info] Troubles in europe?

[Mike Stephen]

cp technology news
Monday, Mar 15, 2004 	
	
European Union says national regulators back antitrust ruling vs. Microsoft

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union's head office won unanimous backing 
from national antitrust regulators Monday for a draft ruling against 
Microsoft Corp. that sources say finds the U.S. software giant abused 
its Windows monopoly and orders deep changes in the way the firm operates.

European Commission spokeswoman Amelia Torres said the closed-door 
session with representatives of the 15 EU governments ended around 
midday. "The member states have unanimously backed the commission's 
draft decision," she said, without elaborating.

The draft ruling could be adopted as early as next week - barring a 
last-minute settlement.

A Microsoft spokesman in Brussels said earlier that the company's legal 
team remained in daily contact with the commission, trying to resolve 
the long-running case amicably.

© The Canadian Press, 2004