EC told to get tough with Microsoft

The European Commission won unanimous backing from national antitrust regulators today for a draft ruling against Microsoft that sources say finds the US software giant abused its Windows monopoly and orders deep changes in the way the company operates.

EC spokeswoman Amelia Torres said the closed-door session in Brussels with representatives of the 15 EU governments had ended and “the member states have unanimously backed the Commission’s draft decision.”

The draft ruling could be adopted as early as next week – barring a last-minute settlement.

A Microsoft spokesman said its legal team remained in daily contact with the Commission, trying to resolve the long-running case amicably.