Microsoft, EU Await Landmark Antitrust Decree

Microsoft execs will be waiting to hear if they won an antitrust appeal against the EU tomorrow, the BBC reports. A 2004 probe declared the tech giant guilty of abusing its industry status and fined it $690 million. If Microsoft pulls off a victory, analysts say, the EU commission will have to pay back fines and endure a nasty blow to its reputation.
 

The verdict may also decide how industry leaders behave toward rivals: If the EU prevails, critics say it will take more action against Microsoft and other market-dominating dynamos. Microsoft says that EU demands to allow competitors' software to run on its OS would stifle innovation. "I think we are working quite well with most firms," a Microsoft exec says. (More Microsoft stories.)