[Am-info] Microsoft facing competition fine

[John Bryan]

On Mar 18, 2004, at 3:11 PM, Erick Andrews wrote:

> See:
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3523232.stm
>
> Excerpt:
>
> "Software giant Microsoft is facing a heavy fine and swingeing [sic]
> penalties following the breakdown of talks with Brussels over 
> anti-trust
> action.
>
> "European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti is now planning
> to unveil the draft EU competition ruling against the firm on 
> Wednesday,
> 24 March.
>
> "Both Mr Monti and Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer agreed that commitment
> over future conduct was the sticking point.
>
> "Microsoft has already announced its intention to appeal against the 
> ruling.
>
> "The decision to appeal means the five-year investigation still has 
> some
> way to run. [...]"


Microsoft has decided to appeal, but doesn't the EU CC have the ability 
to say there won't be an appeal ?  I heard/read that if there is an 
appeal that it could/would take three years, and that the EU CC can 
deny appeal if they decide that it would make the ruling moot, (which 
IMO it would).

Has the EU CC come out either way on this ?  Just wondering -- it was 
my holdout hope.

JB