Microsoft and the European Commission have resumed talks to
resolve a dispute over the software company's
bundling its Internet Explorer browser with the Windows
operating system.
In 2004, the EC was successful in its monopoly abuse case
against Microsoft for linking its media player to Windows, fining
the software-maker Euro497m (£430m).
The EC is threatening sanctions if it fails to reach an
agreement on the browser with Microsoft, which has been accused of
harming browser competition with its bundling practices.
The latest talks could be the last chance for a truce before the
EC takes punitive action. Two previous attempts at settlement have
failed, according to the
Financial Times.
The EC wants Microsoft to give Windows users a wider choice of
browsers and is threatening to force it to do so and may impose a
hefty fine talks do not lead to an agreement.
In June, Microsoft announced it will release a
browserless version of Windows 7 later this year in an attempt
to win favour with the EC.
But the EC said the move will provides less choice instead of
more and a European group of technology companies opposed to
Microsoft said the measure did not go far enough.
Instead, the EC is pressing for Microsoft to allow Windows users
a bigger choice of browsers by either allowing users to download
alternatives or bundling rival browsers with Windows.
The EC charged Microsoft with anti-competitive behaviour after a
year-long investigation in response to a complaint by Norwegian
browser development firm Opera Software.
In its
December 2007 complaint, Opera called on the EC to compel
Microsoft to give consumers a real choice of browser.