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Google lobs antitrust complaint against Microsoft, Nokia in EU, claims they're playing patent footsie (updated)

Jon Fingas — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:42:00 EST

The gloves just came off at Google: the company has just filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission against Microsoft and Nokia. Its gripe accuses the two Windows Phone partners of playing dirty pool through handing 1,200 wireless-related patents to Mosaid, a Canadian firm which spends most of its time suing the industry over WiFi rather than making products. Microsoft and Nokia are allegedly hiking the prices of devices by "creating patent trolls" that bypass deals preventing them from suing directly, possibly steering a few companies towards picking Windows Phone instead of Android.

Google argues that it's launching the complaint as an early defensive measure. Neither Microsoft nor Nokia has responded, although there's a degree of irony to the action: the complaints assert that Nokia is jeopardizing standards-based patents, but Google's recent acquisition Motorola has itself come under EU scrutiny for possibly abusing standards with its lawsuits against Apple and Microsoft. Either way, it's clear Google is concerned that Microsoft's Android patent licensing campaign might lose its decorum in the near future.

Update: Nokia's decided to have its say, in an email to Reuters:

"Though we have not yet seen the complaint, Google's suggestion that Nokia and Microsoft are colluding on intellectual property rights is wrong. Both companies have their own IPR portfolios and strategies and operate independently."

Google lobs antitrust complaint against Microsoft, Nokia in EU, claims they're playing patent footsie (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU competition head gives Google a 'matter of weeks' to offer an antitrust fix

Jon Fingas — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:07:00 EST

The European Union has been taking a leisurely pace investigating Google over possible antitrust abuses, but it's now accelerating to a full-on sprint. European Commission competition head Joaquin Almunia has given Google just a "matter of weeks" to propose how it would patch things up and soften fears that it was unfairly pushing its own web services over others. If Google makes the Commission happy, Almunia says, the whole investigation might wrap up and avoid fines. Google hasn't responded yet, but we wouldn't guarantee that it makes a deal: its execs have usually argued that there's nothing keeping users from going to another search site, and the company has been eager to emphasize that competition still exists. That said, Google only has to see what happened to Microsoft to know how expensive an EU antitrust fight can be.

EU competition head gives Google a 'matter of weeks' to offer an antitrust fix originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola now officially being investigated for abusing its patents in Europe

Sharif Sakr — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:06:00 EST

Both Apple and Microsoft have formally complained about Motorola's alleged abuse of "standards-essential" patents, and today the European Commission has been equally formal in starting an antitrust investigation into their claims. In fact, there'll be two separate investigations -- one to discover whether Motorola Mobility failed to honor its FRAND obligations when it sought injunctions against the sale of Apple and Microsoft products, and the other to assess whether Motorola has been unfair in the way it has offered to license its standard-essential patents. The authorities have given no clue as to how long this process could take, or what kind of punishments could be meted out at the end of it, but the (almost) Google-owned company is now certainly in for some tumult.

Continue reading Motorola now officially being investigated for abusing its patents in Europe

Motorola now officially being investigated for abusing its patents in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft gets antitrust okay for Skype purchase, readies shockingly large wire transfer

Billy Steele — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:53:00 EST

Look out, world -- Microsoft just crossed another hurdle in its bid to swallow Skype whole. Earlier today, US antitrust approval was given on Microsoft's largest (proposed) acquisition, clearing the path for all sorts of Windows / Xbox / WP7-related VoIP shenanigans. While many are still questioning the logic here, Skype continually brought around 145 million users to the table per month even while it constantly bled money. Whatever the case, it looks as if the accountants in Redmond just got US DoJ permission to move $8.5b from one column to the next, and with an initial investment like that, we're hoping for a number of updated features as the attack plan unfolds.

Microsoft gets antitrust okay for Skype purchase, readies shockingly large wire transfer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US DOJ greenlights Google's $900 million bid for Nortel patents; Apple, RIM also interested

Amar Toor — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:51:00 EST

It looks like Google will be able to bid on Nortel's patent portfolio after all, now that the Department of Justice has weighed in on the matter. According to the Wall Street Journal, El Goog's $900 million bid has passed a governmental antitrust review, just a few days ahead of next week's auction. Rivals like Microsoft, AT&T and Verizon had previously filed complaints with the DOJ, arguing that the sale of Nortel's 6,000 patents would give an unfair advantage to the auction's winner by providing it with a fresh arsenal for patent-infringement lawsuits. Google, however, claims it needs the portfolio to defend itself against legal challenges, since it has comparatively few patents to its name. The DOJ apparently sees nothing illegal with this argument, having determined that singular ownership of Nortel's intellectual property would pose no threat to market competition. This is obviously music to Google's ears, but the battle isn't over yet. Sources tell the Journal that both RIM and Apple are interested in filing their own bids for the patents, and have already begun discussing the matter with the Justice Department. None of the companies involved have commented on the story, but it'll all go down on June 20th, when the auction finally gets underway.

US DOJ greenlights Google's $900 million bid for Nortel patents; Apple, RIM also interested originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft lodges antitrust complaint against Google with European Commission, ignores irony

Vlad Savov — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:29:00 EST

So Microsoft doesn't like anticompetitive behavior, huh? Since when? Brad Smith, General Counsel for the Redmond rabblerousers, has posted a lengthy blog post outlining Microsoft's concerns with "a pattern of actions that Google has taken to entrench its dominance" in online search and ads, which he claims is detrimental to European consumers. Funnily enough, half the post is about Google's legal issues in the US, but we'll set that aside for now. What this boils down to is that Microsoft is finally taking the gloves off -- Google accused it of pushing other companies to do its dirty work -- and is now adding its name to the list of objectors to Mountain View's stranglehold on search in Europe. The European Commission is already taking a regulatory looksee at Google's tactics, so this isn't sparking off a new investigation, but it does add the glamor of two big names locking legal horns yet again. Hit the source link for Brad's exposition of Google's villainous wrongdoings.

Microsoft lodges antitrust complaint against Google with European Commission, ignores irony originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget Podcast 195 - 05.07.2010

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:22:00 EST

You'd think that Michael Gartenberg would bring a tone of civility to the Engadget Podcast, but his practical approach to tech thought simply causes rage in the hyper-inflated egos of Josh and Nilay, who both live in a world where teenagers simply do not exist. Don't miss it.

NOTE: We had a few recording issues, please bear with us. They won't kill you. But if they do, don't say we didn't warn you.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel
Special guest: Michael Gartenberg
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Rock And Roll All Night

Hear the podcast

00:01:30 - Microsoft Kin One and Two review
00:05:00 - Kin available online starting tomorrow, in Verizon stores on May 13
00:30:00 - Survey says: most teens don't have a data plan, almost all send texts
00:40:00 - Confirmed: BlackBerry two-way sync for Gmail is now live
00:48:05 - Intel's Atom Z6xx series isn't targeting Windows Phone 7, but 'full Windows experience' still an Atom priority
00:53:00 - Intel reaches for the 'smartphone zone' with Moorestown-based Atom Z6, comes up shorthanded
00:58:25 - Apple under preliminary antitrust investigation over iPhone, triggered by complaint from Adobe
01:15:40 - Engadget wins the People's Voice Webby in Consumer Electronics, and you can win a Droid Incredible!

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Download the podcast

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Contact the podcast

1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.

Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Podcasts, Wireless, Internet

Engadget Podcast 195 - 05.07.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 May 2010 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google claims that Microsoft is encouraging third party anti-trust lawsuits

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:43:00 EST

Microsoft certainly knows a thing or two about anti-trust suits, and if the kids at Google are to be believed the company is waging something of a proxy war on them by injecting itself in lawsuits and complaints brought up by third parties. As Google spokesman Adam Kovacevich told The Wall Street Journal, "our competitors are scouring court dockets around the world looking for complaints against Google into which they can inject themselves, learn more about our business practices, and use that information to develop a broader antitrust complaint against us." Of course, Microsoft claims that this is mere bosh, saying that it's neither initiated nor is it funding anti-trust lawsuits from small companies like TradeComet.com or myTriggers.com -- the latter of whom is being represented by Charles "Rick" Rule, Microsoft's chief outside counsel on competition issues. Then again, if we remember correctly Ciao -- the European online shopping portal -- didn't have any problems with how Google did business until they were snatched up by Microsoft recently. Coincidence? Inevitable? Both? We can't say, but things are sure to get interesting.

Google claims that Microsoft is encouraging third party anti-trust lawsuits originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU launches preliminary antitrust probe against Google

Ross Miller — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:47:00 EST

Now that Microsoft's browser selection story is all but settled, it looks like the European Union is gearing up for a new antitrust probe, with its crosshairs aimed generally in Google's direction. According to the search giant's Senior Competition Counsel Julia Holtz (via its European Public Policy Blog), complaints from three European internet companies -- legal search group EJustice.fr, price comparison site Foundem.co.uk, and German-based Microsoft subsidiary Ciao.de -- have prompted the European Commission to launch a preliminary, fact-finding probe. The charges? Anticompetitive practices stemming from unfair downranking of its competitors in search results. Google denies any wrongdoing, while adding ,"we are also the first to admit that our search is not perfect, but it's a very hard computer science problem to crack." The Microsoft connection seems particularly notable to Google; Holtz reiterates that the company had a good relationship with Ciao until the Redmond company picked it up in 2008 -- "we started receiving complaints about our standard terms and conditions." Like we said, at this point it's just a fact-finding probe that could end up going nowhere, but seriously, Google's lawyers cannot seem to get a break these days.

EU launches preliminary antitrust probe against Google originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU settles affairs with Microsoft, no fines this time

Vlad Savov — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:24:00 EST

Momentous moment alert -- the EU has just closed the book on its lengthy investigation into potential Microsoft antitrust violations. Lasting through nearly the entire noughties, The European Commission's dissatisfaction with what it perceived as monopolistic practices from Redmond has resulted in some hefty fines over the years, but the conclusion to hostilities has been pleasingly amicable. In exchange for Microsoft's legally binding promise to offer up to 12 other browsers alongside its own, the European executive will give the company a clean bill of competition-friendly health. All this means is that the ballot screen will be around on Windows operating systems for at least the next five years (starting in mid-March 2010), which should give the EU plenty of time to think up the next batch of allegations to throw Microsoft's way.

EU settles affairs with Microsoft, no fines this time originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft reportedly randomizing browser ballots to appease EU, asks 'are you happy now?'

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:39:00 EST

Some might say that Microsoft just can't catch a break. Others might argue that it's getting exactly what it deserves. Whatever your take on the situation, it seems as if Microsoft may finally have the EU off of its monstrous back (at least momentarily), as a report has surfaced noting that said software giant is nearing approval for a new browser ballot screen demanded by the European Commission. As you well know by now, rivals Mozilla, Opera and Google all submitted change requests to EU regulators in hopes of having browser selection boxes randomized and not displayed within Internet Explorer. Purportedly, the all-clear will come down on December 15th (or earlier), and the antitrust case will be settled as Windows customers have a clearer choice when it comes to selecting a go-to browser from day one. 'Course, said ballot screen wouldn't be pushed out to existing users until early next year, but when it goes live users will be able to decide between Chrome, Firefox, IE, Opera and Safari for their browsing needs. Huzzah!

Microsoft reportedly randomizing browser ballots to appease EU, asks 'are you happy now?' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Datel sues Microsoft, wants its Xbox 360 market back

Vlad Savov — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:19:00 EST

Seems like we just can't go a week without some corporate power plays or mudslinging making our pages. Back in October, Datel promised it would "remedy" the situation created by Microsoft's forthcoming (now present) Dashboard update locking out its higher capacity memory modules. The accessory company was the first (and only) third-party supplier of memory cards for the Xbox 360, but it seems that MS took a dislike to the MicroSD-expandable Max Memory units and has since taken the unusual step of downgrading the console to being able to read only chips up to 512MB, essentially taking Datel's 2GB+ wares out of commission. Yeah, classy. Datel's retaliation is in the finest Anglo-Saxon legal tradition, namely to assert antitrust concerns and to claim its right to act as a competitor to Microsoft in the memory market for Redmond's own console. It all sounds rather silly to us too, and could probably have been avoided by a rational compromise, but what's the fun in that?

Datel sues Microsoft, wants its Xbox 360 market back originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo unite against Google Books

Vlad Savov — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:23:00 EST

Microsoft, its new pet dog Yahoo, and Amazon have decided to join together in the soon to be formed Open Book Alliance. You might expect this to be a revolutionary new collaborative effort at delivering the written word in a way that makes Google Books pale into insignificance, but you would, of course, be wrong. Far from trying to compete with Google, The OBA is set to act as the collective mouthpiece for all those opposed to Google's recent $125 million settlement deal with book publishers and authors. With the US Department of Justice already investigating antitrust concerns relating to the case, the other big dogs just couldn't restrain themselves from coming together for a united whinge. Should the settlement be cleared, it will permit Google non-exclusive rights to orphan works (those without an established writer) and will give it a 30 per cent cut of books sold via Google Books, both things that authors have agreed to. So what's there to moan about, fellas -- we all trust Google to do the right thing, right?

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo unite against Google Books originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft relents to European Commission, will give users browser freedom in Windows 7

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:16:00 EST

It looks like Redmond is backing slowly away from its previous IE-or-else stance on Windows 7 for European markets. According to an article just published, the OS giant has apparently caved to pressure from the European Commission over "monopoly abuse" (practices which essentially force users into Internet Explorer as their main browser). The last we'd heard on this story, the company was considering shipping the new operating system without a browser altogether, but it looks like those plans have changed. Microsoft has relented and will now offer consumers a "ballot screen" on first boot, allowing purchasers to make their own (we're hoping informed) decision about which window into the web they'll be looking through. Additionally, while Windows 7 will still include an install of IE, users will have the option to disable it, and computer-makers will also be allowed to pre-load any browser they see fit for their systems. We're glad that Microsoft is taking the inclusive approach here, though there are lots of good arguments against the EC's actions. We don't see Apple getting the same heat for Safari, though Apple doesn't currently hold the lion's share of the market. At the end of the day, we're personally just happy to not be using IE -- no matter how you slice it.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Software

Microsoft relents to European Commission, will give users browser freedom in Windows 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft to appeal $1.35B EU antitrust fine

Nilay Patel — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:33:00 EST

Microsoft's no stranger to appealing antitrust decisions before the European Commission's Court of the First Instance, and it looks like it's saddling up for another go 'round: the software giant has decided to appeal that $1.3B antitrust fine handed down in February. Saying that it was only filing as part of a "constructive effort to seek clarity from the court," Microsoft has asked that the decision be annulled. Yeah, that seems pretty clear. As always, our suggestions that this be resolved with a GTA IV / CoD4 round-robin deathmatch on Live have gone unheeded in favor of tedious paperwork and months of delay, but we're still holding out hope.

[Thanks, Hosain]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Microsoft to appeal $1.35B EU antitrust fine originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 May 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU says it'll believe Microsoft is going open when it sees it

Nilay Patel — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:16:00 EST

Echoing the reactions of many to Microsoft's decision to open things up this morning, the European Commission issued a statement this morning saying that while it welcomes any moves towards "genuine interoperability," it's not going to believe it until it sees it -- it's counted four similar announcements by Redmond in the past, with nothing to show for it. Of course, Microsoft is currently being investigated for antitrust violations in Europe, so there's a whispered belief that the new steps are a ploy to derail that process, but that's pretty doubtful -- and the EU's not having it anyway, saying that "Today's announcement by Microsoft does not address the tying allegations." For its part, Microsoft actually agrees, saying that it's opening things up on its own -- the move reflects both "the reality of our unique legal situation" as well as "new opportunities and risks in the connected world." That's certainly an interesting approach -- but we'll see how the EU reacts if and when Microsoft follows through on these promises.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

EU says it'll believe Microsoft is going open when it sees it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's antitrust activities to be monitored for another two years

Nilay Patel — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:32:00 EST

Sure, most of the Microsoft antitrust action is going down in Europe nowadays, but Uncle Sam's lingering judgment against Redmond is still kicking around -- Judge Colleen Kollar Kotelly (remember her?) just issued a ruling extending the consent decree against Microsoft for another two years. The judge said that the company has been extremely cooperative with the government thus far, but that "the extreme and unforeseen delay" in acquiring technical documentation from Bill and the boys requires that monitoring continue. That pretty much leaves things at the status quo, although we're not exactly holding our breath for anything to change once the consent judgment actually does expire.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Microsoft's antitrust activities to be monitored for another two years originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft due for another round of EU antitrust probes

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:26:00 EST

Microsoft, the ever-present target of scorn from the little guy, has once again been hit with antitrust charges in the EU, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal today. This time it's charges related to the company's refusal to disclose "interoperability information" for a variety of products, including Office, which is keeping competitors from marketing compatible software (we've heard complaints of this type from Open Office users for some time). Additionally -- just as we reported in December -- Norwegian web browser outfit Opera is stepping up to the plate, alleging that Redmond's inclusion of Internet Explorer with its ubiquitous operating system leaves little room for rival companies to enter the game. Considering how Microsoft's last antitrust case went in the EU, this may bode poorly for the giant, though a ruling in favor of reforms could benefit the end user. Stay tuned to this space for more information as we get it.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Microsoft due for another round of EU antitrust probes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opera files EU antitrust suit against Microsoft for bundling IE

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:40:00 EST

Oh man, here we go again. Opera just filed an antitrust suit against Microsoft in Redmond's least favorite place to litigate, the EU. The suit claims that Microsoft is stifling competition by distributing Internet Explorer in its Windows OS. The Norwegian company, backed by the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), a long-time opponent of Microsoft, is asking the EU Commission to force Microsoft to comply with industry standards for web browsers and either unbundle IE from the OS or include other browsers along side IE. That would be the Opera Browser we presume, eh Opera (wink, wink). Unlike Apple, Nokia/Symbian, and others who also bundle a browser with their OS, Opera argues that web designers build their sites with IE in mind due to its dominant position in the marketplace and non-compliance with industry standards for web browsing. As such, other browsers won't render some pages correctly -- a disincentive for users to browse with anything other than Microsoft's IE. Sit tight kids, this ride will be bumpy.

Update: Here's Opera's press release on the matter.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Opera files EU antitrust suit against Microsoft for bundling IE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft concedes, complies with EU antitrust ruling

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:50:00 EST

After losing the appeal and suffering daily penalty payments for years, Microsoft has finally conceded to the European commission. This after withdrawing its appeal in the South Korea antitrust case last week. The "substantial changes" to Microsoft's behavior can be boiled down as follows:

Rival software developers (including open-source) can now access and use Microsoft interoperability information
Royalties for this information will be reduced to a one-off payment of €10,000 / $14,000
Royalties for a world-wide license to use Microsoft's product and patents will be reduced from 5.95% to just 0.4%

While Microsoft can technically still appeal the September ruling on the original 2004 decision, it certainly looks like this dog has been beaten into obedient, doe-eyed submission.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Microsoft concedes, complies with EU antitrust ruling originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft moves to withdraw appeal in South Korea antitrust case

Donald Melanson — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:14:00 EST

It looks like two rejected appeals in as many months may have been the limit for Microsoft, as The Wall Street Journal is now reporting that company has decided to drop its appeal in a South Korea antitrust case that dates back to February of 2006. That case, which centered on the always popular issue of Microsoft bundling software with Windows, ultimately ended up with the country's Fair Trade Commission slapping a 32.5 billion Korean won (or $35.4 million) fine on Microsoft, which it'll now presumably have to cough up. What's more, according to the WSJ, the FTC also required Microsoft to provide two separate versions of Windows, including one that drops Windows Media Player and Windows Messenger all together, and one that includes links to websites for competing software to those applications. Not exactly the solution it was looking for, to be sure, but at least Microsoft has experience with multiple versions of Windows.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Microsoft moves to withdraw appeal in South Korea antitrust case originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft contritely responds to EU decision

Evan Blass — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:12:00 EST

Sounding like a child who's just been caught with a hand in the proverbial cookie jar, Microsoft issued a decidedly contrite, non-confrontational response this afternoon to the decision handed down earlier today by a European Grand Chamber of the Court of First Instance, thanking the court for its time and promising to take whatever steps are necessary to comply with the ruling. While playing up its commitment to Europe, aspirations for increased transparency, and continuing changes to its business practices, Redmond Senior Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith also admitted that "we all have to acknowledge that there are some issues that do remain open" and even welcomed "continued discussion to adhere to our duties with the European Commission." Notably absent from Microsoft's response was any mention of an appeal, and while the topic does seem to have been broached in post-statement Q&A, the company's press release conveniently lists all questions as being asked "off mike" -- therefore, the only clue we have regarding future plans is Smith's assertion that "I don't want to talk about what will come next in terms of the legal process." In other words, it sounds like this case may well enter its second decade before a final decision is reached.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Microsoft contritely responds to EU decision originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU rules on Microsoft antitrust appeal: Bad news for Microsoft

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:29:00 EST

The 15-month deliberation into Microsoft's appeal to the European ruling in their anti-trust case is over. The news is pretty bad for Microsoft as their appeal has been dismissed. As such, the $688 million fine imposed in 2004 stands and Microsoft must pay 80% of the Commission's legal costs as additional insult. Microsoft did succeed at abolishing the independent monitoring trustee established to supervise Microsoft's behavior. Microsoft can still appeal to the highest court in Europe so this isn't over by any stretch of the imagination.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

EU rules on Microsoft antitrust appeal: Bad news for Microsoft originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft to learn its EU antitrust fate tomorrow

Evan Blass — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:07:00 EST

Microsoft will be in a familiar position tomorrow when it stands before a European Grand Chamber of the Court of First Instance, where the special 13-judge tribunal will be issuing its final verdict in an antitrust case that has been dragging on since long after the software giant finished its controversial little dance with the Department of Justice here in the US. According to Reuters, the five-point ruling will be handed down in Brussels on live TV at 3.30AM EDT, and will determine the validity of the European Commission's 2004 decision against Redmond on issues of bundling and interoperability as well as the subsequent sanctions that have totaled hundreds of millions of dollars to date. The best case scenario for Microsoft would see the court overturning the underlying decisions -- automatically canceling the sanctions -- while the EU obviously hopes that its rulings and penalties will be upheld, effectively giving it a mandate to press for even more concessions along with increased leverage against other non-compliant companies. We'll have the decision for you immediately after it's released, so set your alarms folks....

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Microsoft to learn its EU antitrust fate tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's Hungarian offices raided in antitrust probe

Nilay Patel — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:20:00 EST

Microsoft's squeaky-clean image took quite a beating this week: not only was the company accused of "patent terrorism," its Hungarian offices were raided in an antitrust investigation. Hungarian officials at the state competition authority GVH say Microsoft abused its market position to put the squeeze on local distributors, and that the raid was necessary to find evidence of "a system of conditions or favors with the most significant software distributors" that made it "disadvantageous for them to sell competing products." The investigation is slated to take up to 180 days before authorities have to either file or ask for an extension. Microsoft says it's "cooperating fully," but hasn't issued any further comment -- which is interesting, because you'd think the PR staff would have some stock answers to European antitrust investigations by now.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Media PCs

Microsoft's Hungarian offices raided in antitrust probe originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft warns Europe of possible Vista delays

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 08:21:00 EST

First the PS3, now this. Microsoft is warning that their oft delayed, Windows Vista operating system might be delayed even further in Europe due to "unclear antitrust guidance" from the European Commission. Apparently this all began in a letter from the commission to Steve Ballmer in March with concerns that some of the features in Vista would breach the same laws XP violated a few years back. According to Microsoft, they proposed some changes but never heard back, saying "Once we receive the commission's response, we will know whether the commission is seeking additional product design changes that would result in delay in Europe." Tit for tat, a spokesman for the commission's antitrust division said Microsoft's statement was "misleading to imply that the commission could be the cause of delays. It is not up to us to tell Microsoft what it has to do to Vista, the onus is on Microsoft to design its product in conformity with European competition laws, which it is well aware of." Meow! So is this just legal posturing by Microsoft in their never-ending European antirust battle or a bit of preemptive blame-shifting in case of further delay? We don't know. But hey, Europe, consider yourselves warned.

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Media PCs, Tablet PCs

Microsoft warns Europe of possible Vista delays originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Sep 2006 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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