Now Go Away or We Shall Taunt You a Second Time

May 9, 2008 at 9:45 am PT

Microsoft (MSFT) is appealing the $1.38 billion fine given it by the European Commission for failing to comply with a landmark antitrust ruling in what it describes as a “constructive effort to seek clarity from the court.”

By “clarity,” Microsoft means an annulment of the EC’s February decision imposing the fine–the highest ever meted out in an antitrust case. But it’s not likely to get it. At least according to the EC. Said an EC spokesperson: “The commission is confident that its decision to impose the fine is legally sound.”

Translation: No. How’s that for “clarity”?

Tagged with: antitrust, court, European Commission, European Union, fine, John Paczkowski, Microsoft

comments so far. Add yours.

http://blog.macb.net Mac Beach

So many of Microsoft’s mistakes are characterized by their inability to consider the possibility of losing on an issue such as this (or a hostile take-over for another example). This, in spite of the fact that they’ve had numerous failed products, lost legal battles, devastating (to their customers) security exposures. The company’s name is becoming a modern synonym for “hubris’.

Only one company comes to mind for me when it comes to not being easily confused by the facts: SCO