Microsoft in compliance with EU ruling after nine years

Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes stated: "Put together, these changes in Microsoft's business practices, in particular towards open-source software developers, will profoundly affect the software industry. The repercussions of these changes will start now and will continue for years to come."

She warned, however: "I want to stress two points. First, Microsoft has ongoing obligations to continue to comply with the 2004 decision. If new issues arise in relation, for example, to the completeness and accuracy of the interoperability information, then Microsoft must address those issues immediately. Second, the March 2004 decision, as confirmed by the Court of First Instance last month, also sets a precedent with regard to Microsoft's future market behaviour in this and other areas. Microsoft must bear this in mind."

Microsoft issued a press release stating: "At the time the Court of First Instance issued its judgment in September, Microsoft committed to taking any further steps necessary to achieve full compliance with the Commission's decision. We have undertaken a constructive discussion with the Commission and have now agreed on those additional steps. We will not appeal the CFI's decision to the European Court of Justice and will continue to work closely with the Commission and the industry to ensure a flourishing and competitive environment for information technology in Europe and around the world."

Thomas Vinje, Counsel for the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), an industry alliance of software makers opposing Microsoft in the competition case, commended the Commission "for their diligence in pursuing this issue over the last eight years". However, Vinjew warned: "European consumers will only benefit if Microsoft complies fully with its obligations in both letter and spirit so that real competition is finally reintroduced with respect to products subject to the Commission's March 2004 decision."

Benjamin Henrion, Brussels representative of the open-source association FFII, said: "This deal is a big win for Microsoft. The Commission does not understand how open source works. It naively accepted Redmond's assurances that they will play fair. It is a sham. They have planned for years to control the open source economy through software patents. This scheme now moves ahead, thanks to the Commission's haste to make a quick deal. Kroes has ensured that European Patent Office software patents - which the EU rejected in 2005 - will now strengthen the monopolist's grip for years to come."