Microsoft to EU: Please forget about the $1.3 billion fine

Microsoft, don't hold your breath that the EU will pat you on the shoulder and forgive the $1.3 fine it imposed in February. It is good for all concerned (including Microsoft itself, your customers and your stock holders), that you have arrived at the modern age and published the protocols for Windows, Office and other applications. This allows Windows to remain viable -- to be a target for open source developers wanting to create great new apps for it, instead of being slowly replaced by Linux (which might still happen). But you were more-or-less required to open your APIs when you lost your antitrust case in 2004 and you were told to offer licenses to open source developers at a fair price. A $1.3 billion fine, plus changing market conditions, finally forced you to do the right thing. You haven't given the EU much reason not to fine you, or to withdraw fines already assessed. Can't blame you for trying to get the fines erased, but last time you tried, in 2007, it didn't work. It's doubtful that it will work now.

This open letter to Microsoft is spurred by a story from IDG News Service that says Microsoft is appealing the US$1.3 billion (€899 million) fine imposed on it by the European Union for failing to honor a 2004 antitrust agreement.

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