Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History

The European Unions challenge to Microsofts desktop hegemony has been history-making from the start nine years ago. Heres a look at the highlights from Microsoft Watchs Joe Wilcox.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – September 1998

Sun files complaint about server interoperability.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – 1999-2003

EU conducts an investigation of Microsoft, including legal filings and hearings.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – March 2004

EU rules that Microsoft violated local antitrust laws by bundling the media player with Windows and by unfairly leveraging its desktop monopoly into the server market.

EUs Competition Commission orders Microsoft to release the second version of Win

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – April 2004

Microsoft and Sun settle the differences that were raised in the original 1998 complaint.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – June 2004

Microsoft appeals the antitrust ruling to the Court of First Instance.

Microsoft asks the Court of First Instance to suspend remedies pending appeal.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – November 2004

Microsoft settles with complainants CCIA (Computer & Communications Industry Association) and Novell.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – December 2004

Microsoft loses appeal to stay—or put on hold—the antitrust remedies.

Microsoft announces the second, European version of Windows will be called Reduced Media Edition.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – January 2005

Following EUs ire over Reduced Media Edition, Microsoft agrees to change the name of its second Windows version for Europe. The product is later renamed N.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – March 2005

EU issues another warning about Microsofts compliance with the antitrust remedies.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – June 2005

Microsoft releases the Windows N Edition in Europe.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – October 2005

Microsoft settles with EU complainant RealNetworks.

EU appoints British cybercrime expert Neil Barrett as technical advisor to the case.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – December 2005

Microsoft submits protocol technical documentation.

EU files a Statement of Objection.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – January 2006

Microsoft offers up access to Windows Server source code as a way of complying with EU interoperability orders. Some developers call the source code access a poison pill.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – February 2006

Microsoft files response to EUs December 2005 Statement of Objection.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – April 2006

Court of First Instance holds hearing on Microsofts appeal.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – July 2006

The EU fines Microsoft $357 million for failing to properly disclose protocol information.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – November 2006

Microsoft resubmits protocol technical documents to the EU.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – March 2007

EU files formal rejection to Microsoft protocol licensing royalties.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – September 2007

Court of First Instance largely rejects Microsofts appeal, upholding core antitrust findings and remedies imposed against the company.

Microsoft EU Antitrust: A Case History – See More Slideshows Like This One

See more slideshows like this one!

• eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Virtual Iron 3.5