Punish Bill

European authorities are ready to fine Microsoft 2 million euros daily

The European Commission yesterday preliminary approved the implementation of its decision to levy a fine of 2 million euros per day from Microsoft. The ruling was made back in December last year (due to the fact that the corporation ignored the requirements of European antitrust authorities), and therefore Bill Gates’ company will have to pay more than 400 million euros. Microsoft still disagrees with the verdict and is trying to convince regulators that it has complied with all necessary requirements. The European Commission intends to announce the final decision on the timing and exact amount of the fine on July 12-19, AFP reports.

The essence of the claims is related to Microsoft's monopoly position in the market. Regulators are convinced that the corporation's main product - the Windows operating system, installed on 90% of computers around the world - remains inaccessible to software developers because they cannot combine their developments with Windows because Microsoft does not provide them with the necessary codes. Two years ago, the European Commission ruled that Bill Gates' company was fined $612 million for illegally using its monopoly position in the market. She was ordered to reveal the program codes, which she has not done so far. Microsoft tried to challenge the decision, but the European Court of First Instance rejected the appeal. Then the corporation decided to open the codes in a sluggish manner, justifying itself by the inaccuracy of the EU wording. “We have always sincerely and honestly sought to fully comply with the terms of the decision, which often turned out to be vague and imprecise,” Brad Smith, the company's general counsel, expressed the company's position in an interview with The New York Times. - We have different points of view on how these requirements should be met. But we hope to come to an agreement that will help move the needle."

However, this movement, apparently, is not in favor of Microsoft, and the corporation has to justify itself. "We received a work plan with seven requirements," says Mr. Smith. - We completed six of them on time. We are now working around the clock to implement the last point and hope that we will be allowed to complete our “homework” in full before the European Commission wants to evaluate it.” Microsoft promises to provide the necessary documentation by July 18. But the European Commission claims that the corporation had enough time, even after the court rejected the next appeal, and it missed it.

The European Commission has never punished a company for failure to comply with its decisions. And while Microsoft has a chance not to become the first. In April, she filed an appeal with the European Court of Second Instance, which has not yet considered it. It is possible that the decision will be in favor of the American corporation. But even in the event of another failure, numerous of its lawyers will try to appeal to the European Court of Justice. This way they will at least gain time.

Denis UVAROV