Microsoft may be slapped with $2.2 billion antitrust fine from EU

Regulators in the European Union have not been swayed by Microsoft's announcement last week that it was finally making its software communication protocols openly available. Bloomberg is reporting that the EU is considering slapping Microsoft with a fine for not complying with its 2004 antitrust order. The fine may be announced on February 27. Microsoft revealed in a January 24 regulatory filing that it was anticipating a fine that could be as high as 1.5 euros ($2.2 billino).

The story reports:

Microsoft has tried to allay European antitrust concerns, announcing last week that it will help competitors' software work better with some products, such as Office. It also sought to limit potential EU fines, which already total 775 million euros in the 2004 case, by agreeing in October to make network data available to open-source software developers so their server software can connect to Windows.

The European Commission released a statement immediately following Microsoft's announcement last week. The statement said that although the EC was in favor of increased interoperability, Microsoft's move to publish its specifications would not get the software giant off the hook for the foot dragging over compliance with the 2004 order.

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