Microsoft to appeal $1.4b European fine

Microsoft today said it would appeal the nearly $1.4 billion fine levied against it by the European Commission earlier this year. The company has not explained its specific motivations behind the objection, but says the move is an effort to "seek clarity" from the Commission's court and that Microsoft's opposition with the appeal is to the fine itself rather than the ultimate verdict.

The tally set by the European officials is the largest ever imposed by the international organization and was elevated in part to punish Microsoft for its alleged violation of the terms set out by a previous judgment. The past ruling declared that the Windows developer had failed to provide documentation that could help rival developers create fully compatible alternatives to Microsoft's software, including server programs.

Microsoft has in recent months begun taking steps to comply with past decisions in a way that would satisfy the European Commission, including freely available Office and Windows documentation that can be used by companies to improve compatibility, including adding fuller support for Office document formats.

Commission representatives have yet to comment on the appeal.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: Microsoft, Windows, Office, European Commission