Microsoft has moved closer to European sanctions for
monopolising the internet browser market by withdrawing from
oral hearings scheduled to take place in Brussels next month.
Microsoft said it had pulled out of the hearings set for 3-5
June because important European anti-trust officials would have
been unable to attend, according to the
Financial Times.
The US software company claimed it had asked the European
Commission (EC) for alternative dates, but none had been
offered.
The hearings stem from a
December 2007 complaint by Norwegian browser company Opera
Software that Microsoft is abusing its monopoly in operating
systems to gain advantage for its browser, Internet Explorer.
Lawyers for Opera disputed Microsoft's claims, accusing it of
trying to avoid facing its critics, which include Google, Mozilla
and Symantec.
The EC is reported to be just weeks away from making a decision
on whether or not to impose a fine and other sanctions against
Microsoft in the browser case.
European regulators sent the company a statement of objections
earlier this year after carrying out investigations in response to
Opera's complaint.
Microsoft filed a defence late last month and requested an oral
hearing, but if it fails to appear, the EC is free to move ahead to
making a ruling in the case in the coming weeks.
In 2004, the EC was successful in its monopoly abuse case
against Microsoft for linking its media player to Windows, fining
the software maker £497m.