Ruling won't dethrone Microsoft
A European court found Microsoft guilty of breaking competition law and not ensuring software compatibility. But Stephen Beard reports that the ruling might not have a major effect on the company's market dominance.
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Doug Krizner: Microsoft was defeated in a European courtroom this morning. A major anti-trust ruling was upheld -- one saying Microsoft abused its dominant market position. We have more from Stephen Beard in London.
Stephen Beard: The European Court of First Instance has ruled that Microsoft must pay the more than $600 million fine.
The court agreed the company had broken competition law by refusing to ensure its operating system works with rival software. The case concerned server software and media players.
Microsoft's been ordered to cooperate with competitors. The company has two months to mount an appeal. The European Commission welcomed the verdict.
But technology writer Barry Fox said it won't make much difference to Microsoft's dominant position:
Barry Fox: Microsoft software works better with Microsoft Windows operating system. And it's absolutely true sometimes it's just easier to give up and say, "OK Bill, OK Microsoft, you win -- I'm gonna use Microsoft software."
Fox says the ruling may prevent other near monopolies forming in Europe, but Microsoft will remain largely unscathed.
In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
