EU court dismisses Microsoft antitrust appeal
Legal World
Microsoft's appeal of the record €497 million fine imposed on it by EU regulators was comprehensively rejected by Europe's second-highest court Monday.
In a landmark ruling, the European Union's Court of First Instance backed the European Commission's 2004 decision to fine Microsoft and order the software giant to change its Windows operating system to make it more compatible with rival systems.
The 248-page judgment comes after nine years of legal wrangling over Microsoft's near-monopoly of the software market and its ability to muscle rivals out of the market.
The ruling's immediate impact probably is negligible because Microsoft already had paid the $613 million fine and, as ordered years ago, has been selling a version of its Windows software without the Media Player that has been the focus of complaints for about a decade.
Broadly, though, some observers worry about an EU that might be too quick to overregulate free markets, especially with Apple scheduled this week to defend its dominant iTunes online music store from complaints that sound similar to those leveled against Microsoft.
EU regulators also are looking at the way Intel prices its microchips and are mulling the proposed Google acquisition of DoubleClick.
Such concerns of overregulation prompted Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Barnett to warn Monday that the Microsoft ruling, "rather than helping consumers, may have the unfortunate consequence of harming consumers by chilling innovation and discouraging competition."
Related listings
-
2 in UK in court on terrorist charges
Legal World 09/19/2007Two people appeared in court Wednesday after being charged with terrorist offenses.Raingzieb Ahmed, 32, charged with three counts, spoke only to confirm his name and age during a five-minute hearing at London's City of Westminster Magistrates Court.A...
-
Russia warns against Iran war
Legal World 09/18/2007[##_1L|1332680339.jpg|width="100" height="125" alt=""|_##]Russia expressed worry Tuesday over the possibility of war with Iran as French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner pressed for tougher sanctions against the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme....
-
Iraq Investigates Foreign Security Firms
Legal World 09/18/2007The Iraqi government said Tuesday it would review the status of foreign security firms after a fatal shooting of civilians involving Blackwater USA, while radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for a ban on all the companies of "the occupiers."...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .