Microsoft fined record £681m for defying EU

By Emma Henry and agencies
Last Updated: 1:28pm GMT 27/02/2008

The Commission said it was the first company to ignore sanctions in 50 years of EU competition policy.
     
It fined Microsoft what was than a record €497m (£330m) in 2004 after it found the software giant guilty of using its near monopoly to stifle its rivals.

The company was also ordered to separate its Windows operating system from its Media Player and provide rivals with vital data enabling them to produce computer servers which can work alongside Windows software.

The ruling, which was appealed, was later upheld by an EU court. Microsoft provided information but imposed high royalties on the grounds of innovation.

The Commission found that the information lacked much innovation and was more like a lock to which Microsoft was withholding the combination. It decided the royalties were unreasonable.

Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said: "I hope that today's decision closes a dark chapter in Microsoft's record of non-compliance with the Commission's March 2004 decision."

Microsoft said in a statement that the fines concerned "past issues" and it was now looking to the future.

After fining Microsoft in 2004, the Commission fined it another €280.5 million in July 2006 for failing to comply with the sanctions.

The latest decision picks up from where that fine left off, for the period from June 21, 2006 until Oct. 21, 2007. After that, Microsoft agreed to reduced royalties and to provide the requested information.

The Microsoft statement said: "As we demonstrated last week with our new interoperability principles and specific actions to increase the openness of our products, we are focusing on steps that will improve things for the future."

Last week, knowing a large fine was imminent, the company publicly promised to publish critical information so rival programmes worked better with Windows.

Microsoft still faces other potential action by the Commission.

In January, the EU executive started two new formal antitrust investigations against Microsoft - one relating to interoperability, and one relating to the tying of separate software products.

KUAM News has learned that a B-2 stealth bomber crashed at Andersen Air Force Base this morning. The incident happened at around 10:45am Saturday, as information we've gathered so far indicates that a lead B-2 aircraft took off and became safely airborne, but when minutes later a second bomber took off for reasons that are unknown at this point, that aircraft crashed.

However, at least two pilots were ejected before the plane hit. Their conditions are unknown at this time. AAFB public affairs officials have not been able to be reached for comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, Yigo residents have reported that they've seen large plumes of black smoke coming from the nearby military base. Additionally, according to Guam Fire Department Angel Llagas, a large explosion was also reported to the island's 911 service this morning, and two units responded to the area.

This is the second military aircraft that has crashed in the last 11 days. On February 12 a Navy Ea-6b Prowler attached to the U.S.S. Kittyhawk strike group went down about 20 miles to the north of AAFB. All four of the pilots in that incident were released from the hospital with minor injuries.

Some facts about the B-2 Spirit Bomber:

- Assigned to 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron's 509th Bomb Wing
- Homebased out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri
- Deployed to Guam as part of continuous bomber presence in Asia-Pacific region
- Primary function: Multi-role heavy bomber
- Armament: Conventional/nuclear weapons
- Payload: 40,000 lbs.
- Crew: Two pilots
- Unit cost: Approximately $1.2 billion

The U.S. Air Force released a statement following the event, reporting that a pair of pilots from the 509th were on board and ejected. They were evaluated by medical authorities and are said to be in good condition.

The B-2 was deployed to Andersen AFB from Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Emergency responders are currently at the site of the crash and the Air Force stated that a board of officers intends to investigate the accident.

Quote:


Fixed it for ya.

X

Really?  So a guy going down on you wouldn't make you gay either?