After US court ‘deal’ Microsoft must face the wrath of Europe

AFTER a court settlement by Microsoft in the US, the battle now shifts to Europe where Competition Commissioner Mario Monti may soon impose his own set of sanctions against the software giant.

Monti will make a preliminary decision by the end of the year whether to act against Microsoft for allegedly abusing dominance in its Windows operating system.

US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on Friday last endorsed Microsoft’s anti-trust settlement with the United States Justice Department and nine states. The agreement sets remedies for Microsoft’s illegal abuse of monopoly power.