EU fines Microsoft €561m for pact breach

Microsoft was fined €561m by the European Commission on the 5 March 2013 over its failure to offer Windows users a choice of internet browser, breaching the competition agreement with European regulators.

The European Commission said the US company had broken a legally binding commitment made in 2009 to ensure consumers had a choice of browser, rather than defaulting to Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

ESO: Background information: Brussels takes issue with Windows 8 http://www.europeansources.info/record/brussels-takes-issue-with-windows-8/

EurActiv, 06.03.13: EU fines Microsoft for breaking browser pledge http://www.euractiv.com/general/eu-fines-microsoft-breaking-brow-news-518305

BBC, 06.03.13: Microsoft fined by European Commission over web browser http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21684329

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release, IP/13/196: Antitrust: Commission fines Microsoft for non-compliance with browser choice commitments http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-196_en.pdf

EUObserver, 06.03.13: EU slaps €561 million fine on Microsoft in web browser case http://euobserver.com/news/119305

Deutsche Welle, 06.03.13: EU executive fines Microsoft for antitrust breach http://www.dw.de/eu-executive-fines-microsoft-for-antitrust-breach/a-16652358

Blog: Bruegel, 06.03.13: Microsoft fined for non-compliance: a game-changer in antitrust settlements http://www.bruegel.org/nc/blog/detail/article/1035-microsoft-fined-for-non-compliance-a-game-changer-in-antitrust-settlements/

---