The abuses identified by the European Commission (EC) concerned Microsoft’s refusal to make available interoperability information for server operating systems on a non-discriminatory basis, and its tying of the Windows Media Player (WMP). The EC imposed a fine of € 497m (£384m) and adopted a number of remedial measures.
Microsoft’s refusal to make available full interoperability information to rival server operating system developers was judged to be “part of a broader strategy designed to shut competitors out of the market”. The EC’s investigation showed that Microsoft’s abusive practice had already handed it a dominant position in the market for work group servers and risked to eliminate competition completely in that market.
