Microsoft has indicated its hope of reaching a settlement with
the European Commission over allegations of anti-competitive
conduct in Europe. In a formal response to the European Commission
last week, Microsoft denied the antitrust charges and yesterday
waived its right to a hearing before European regulators which was
scheduled for December.
Microsoft recently proposed settlements in antitrust cases with
the US Department of Justice as well as a host of private antitrust
cases. Its proposals have faced a mixed reaction so far.
Earlier this week, Mario Monti, the European Minister for
Competition, was quoted in the Financial Times as saying that it is
essential “that market power is not abused” and that it would be a
disservice to a Member State’s citizens “were [the Commission] to
sacrifice their interests to the globalisation interests of the
company.”
