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Microsoft Caves on EU Antitrust Suit

Posted Oct 22, 07 10:25 AM CDT in World,  Technology,  Business 

(Newser) – Microsoft is conceding its 9-year antitrust battle with the EU after striking a deal that will force the software giant to license its software secrets to anyone who asks at drastically reduced rates. In exchange, the EU has stopped the daily variable fines of up to 3 million euro that have been piling up, the Journal reports.

EU antitrust regulators look powerful now, with legal precedent to back tough rhetoric. Microsoft must sell licenses for a one-time 10,000-euro fee, rather than steep royalties. Worse, Microsoft must license to open-source developers, who can now bare Windows’ secrets to the world. How much Microsoft will pay in fines is unclear, but the total could be 1 billion euros.

Source Wall Street Journal

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Microsoft will have to license its software to open source developers in the EU.   (Getty Images)
Microsoft today capitulated in its legal battle in the EU   (Getty Images)
  (Getty Images (by Event))
European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes speaks during a media conference regarding Microsoft at EU headquarters in Brussels, Monday Sept. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)   (Associated Press)
European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes gestures while speaking during a media conference regarding Microsoft at EU headquarters in Brussels, Monday Sept. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)   (Associated Press)
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