Microsoft answers EU antitrust allegations

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 30 Apr 2009 at 10:46

Microsoft has presented its defence against EU allegations that bundling Internet Explorer with Windows its uncompetitive.

The company says the arguments outlined in its defence are confidential, though it has repeatedly stated in the past that it "vigorously" disagrees with the ruling.

The case stems from an original complaint filed by Opera, which accused Microsoft of hurting browser competition by bundling IE with Windows. Support for the browser minnow swelled quickly, with Google and Mozilla coming aboard.

With Microsoft's defence on the table, EU competition watchdogs will be able to bring a final judgement in the case - though this will be open to appeal.

The stakes in the case are high. In a regulatory filing, Microsoft admitted that losing could see it forced to bundle rival browsers with future versions of Windows. There's also a possibility of significant fines being imposed by the EU.