Microsoft inches closer to EU fine

Regulators prepare to follow through on anti-monopoly ruling.

European Union regulators have unanimously approved a ruling against Microsoft and could impose a fine of up to €2m a day, according to Associated Press. The exact amount of the fine will be set on 12 July.

Microsoft was convicted of anti-competitive behaviour in 2004, and ordered to pay a €497m fine. The EU had demanded that the company provide better interoperability between its software and competing products.

The software giant has failed to provide adequate information about its products to allow for third-party interoperability, the EU alleges.

Microsoft was also forced to release a version of its operating system stripped of Windows Media Player. The company has complied with this order, although sales of the version without Media Player are believed to be practically non-existent.

Microsoft has insisted that it has complied with the order and feels that any fine would be unjustified.

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