Software giant facing fine of $404m

MICROSOFT, the world’s largest personal computer software company, is expected to be fined up to $404 million and given a deadline to permit rivals using its operating systems next week.

This follows a last minute breakdown of anti-competitive negotiations between the US giant and EU competition authorities in Brussels yesterday.

In a statement Microsoft strongly hinted they will take the case to court and suggested the current impasse is just the latest step in a long running battle.