EU and Microsoft still at odds

New talks have failed to resolve outstanding issues between Microsoft and EU competition watchdogs, the European Commission said on Wednesday.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer asked for, and got, a Tuesday night meeting with European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.

But no breakthrough on a five-year old dispute between the US software giant and Brussels was found.

“Over a year has elapsed and as of today we are not in a position to say that we are satisfied that Microsoft has complied fully with that decision,” said a commission spokesman.

“Kroes said that the commission expects the decision adopted in March 2004 to be complied with urgently and in full, and she added that unless this was the case that the commission would be obliged to take formal steps to ensure compliance.”

Microsoft is appealing a record EU anti-trust fine of €497.2 million and Brussels orders requiring the company to give rivals access to software.

The commission ruled on Microsoft on March 24 2004 and remains unsatisfied with its efforts to resolve competition issues.

The price of non-compliance could be high, the commission has the power to fines of up to five per cent of Microsoft’s daily turnover every day.

The commission is still unconvinced by Microsoft moves to provide Windows software without its media player and measures to allow rivals access to server programming codes.

But Brussels did signal that progress had been on rules for a trustee to ensure the software giant stops violating EU anti-trust law.

“It is not being regarded as a major outstanding issue,” said the commission spokesman.

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