EU slaps record €497m fine on Microsoft

European regulators ruled today that Microsoft broke antitrust law, levied a record fine and ordered the company to stop illegally…

European regulators ruled today that Microsoft broke antitrust law, levied a record fine and ordered the company to stop illegally crushing software rivals.

The fine was set at 497.2 million.

The European Commission ordered the software giant to offer a version of its Windows operating system without Windows Media Player within 90 days.

It also ordered Microsoft to disclose enough material to rival makers of work group servers so their products have full interoperability with Windows personal computers and servers. Microsoft has 120 days to fulfil this condition.

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"Today's decision restores the conditions for fair competition in the market concerned and establishes clear principles for the future conduct of a company with such a strong dominant position," Competition Commissioner Mr Mario Monti said in a statement.