The European Commission has announced that it intends to go ahead
with its antitrust investigation into Microsoft's business
practices, despite the proposed settlement between Microsoft and
the US Department of Justice.
Elements of the proposed settlement, announced in the US on 2
November, could affect the European probe of Microsoft, but
Commission spokeswoman Amelia Torres claims it is too early to
tell.
"There might be certain features in the US settlement which might
or might not have an impact on the Commission's own investigation
involving Microsoft," she said.
While Microsoft realised that a settlement in the US lawsuit would
not end its case in Europe, the company said it hoped to settle
with the Commission as well.
"We would like to appropriately settle the matter with the European
Commission," said Microsoft president and chief executive officer
Steve Ballmer.
The European Commission is investigating whether Microsoft violated
European rules to extend its position in the market for low-end
server operating systems by using its dominant position in PC
operating systems. It is also examining Microsoft's software
bundling tactics, focusing particularly on Windows Media Player.