European Union slams Microsoft for not complying with orders

European Union slams Microsoft for not complying with orders

World’s largest software company Microsoft continues to get slammed by the European Union. EU has now threatened the tech giant that they would fine the company up to 2 million euros ($2.37 million) a day if they continue to ignore its 2004 antitrust ruling. They also accused the company of not sharing information with their competitors as instructed by the courts.

EU Antitrust Commissioner Neelie Kroes said in a statement: “I have given Microsoft every opportunity to comply with its obligations. However, I have been left with no alternative other than to proceed via the formal route to ensure Microsoft’s compliance.” EU aims to force the company into getting their things in order by levying this fine on them.

EU requires the company to provide more detailed information so competitors’ products can be made more compatible with Microsoft’s Windows server operating system. Microsoft develops the world’s most popular operating system and also is in the market of developing software for it. This gives them an advantage of integrating their products more deeply with the OS compared to their competitors.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s top lawyer in return as accused the Union for threatening to levy fines even before they had even reviewed highly technical documentation he said Microsoft sent to European officials on Wednesday. He said in a statement to a media group: “Every time we do absolutely everything we’ve been asked to do, we’re told that there’s something else we need to do.”