EU to consult Microsoft’s competitors about fines

The EU is to consult IT companies before it decides whether to impose a massive fine on software giant Microsoft in a dispute about anti-competitive practices.

The company delivered its latest proposals to meet an EU competition ruling just ahead of the 1 June deadline set by Brussels.

Microsoft has already been fined 497m euros (£340m) after the EU found last year that it had abused its dominant position in the market.

But the company also had to comply with other conditions by the 1 June deadline. It was ordered to make its workgroup server protocols available to competitors and to provide a version of Windows without its Media Player program.

Microsoft’s latest proposals are being scrutinised by EU regulators. Brussels could impose a $5m a day fine – 5% of global sales – if the proposals are not found to be sufficient to meet the terms of the March 2004 ruling.

The analysis, which is expected to take a few weeks, would include consultation with rival firms, the EU has confirmed.