Raising the stakes

15 January 2008 By William Echikson

Regulators are attacking Microsoft core products the Office suite and the close tie between Windows and the Explorer browser. This could be the climactic battle in the long antitrust struggle. Even if Microsoft prevails, the regulatory offensive should worry other tech giants.

This content is for Subscribers only

Context News

European regulators announced on January 14 two new investigations into allegedly anticompetitive behaviour by Microsoft, the first since a court decision four months ago upholding an earlier antitrust case.

The first new case focuses on Microsoft's alleged attempt to prevent competing products from working with its Office suite. The second targets the legality of bundling Microsoft's web browser Explorer with its Windows operating system.

Microsoft said it would cooperate with the commission's two investigations.

Email a friend

Please complete the form below.

Required fields *