Microsoft loses huge fine appeal

A court has upheld most of a massive fine levied against Microsoft by the European Commission’s competition watchdog, closing a case against the software giant that began in 1998.

The General Court of the European Union rejected Microsoft’s appeal against the fine levied in 2008, but did trim it by €39m to €860m. Counting two earlier fines, the case has wound up costing Microsoft a grand total of €1.64bn.