Microsoft, M$, European Antitrust Decision upheld!

The 13-judge Grand Chamber of the Court of First Instance in Luxembourg, A European Union court upheld a landmark 2004 European Commission antitrust decision against Microsoft on Monday in a crucial victory for the European competition regulator over the U.S. software giant. The court dismissed Microsoft's appeal on all substantive points, except reversing the Commission on the creation and funding of a monitoring trustee to ensure implementation of one of the remedies.
"The Court of First Instance essentially upholds the Commission's decision finding that Microsoft abused its dominant position," a court statement said. The Court also ordered Microsoft to pay most attorneys fees incurred by rivals who had brought the action. By contrast, Microsoft's allies were forced to bear their own costs.
As part of the ruling, a 497 million euro ($689.9 million) fine on Microsoft was upheld. A 280.5 million Euro non-compliance fee was added.
The Commission had later said Microsoft failed to comply with its order on interoperability and fined the company an additional 280.5 million euros. It is considering a further fine for non-compliance.
The ruling of the CFI (Court of First Instance) on facts is final, but matters of law may be appealed to the European Union's highest court, the European Court of Justice.
Information from Reuters.

Tags: European Commission, M$, Microsoft antitrust, Court of First Instance