The European Union has fined Microsoft $1.35 billion (899 million euros) for failing to comply with the 2004 antitrust order. It is highest ever fine charged by the E.U. and it is also the first time ever when the E.U. has fined a company because of non-compliance with an antitrust decision.
The first decision in this antitrust case was given in 2004 citing that Microsoft withheld needed interoperability information to rival software companies which prevented them to make compatible software to Windows. The commission ordered Microsoft to provide those information which Microsoft agreed to but charged high royalty fees on ground of innovation. Further in investigation these high royalty fees were found unreasonable and was ordered to lower them. Microsoft’s non-compliance to this decision for the last 3 years prompted the large fine. So far, Microsoft has been fined 1.68 billion euros in this case.
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