Microsoft antitrust fine splits industry

Industry trade groups weighed in on Wednesday on the European Commission's decision to levy a historic $357m antitrust fine against Microsoft.

The organisations fell into two camps in their opinion of the penalty imposed on Microsoft for non-compliance with the Commission's 2004 antitrust order to share and license protocol information with rivals. One side said the move will discourage US businesses in Europe, while the other said it sets a precedent that will help smaller software companies.

Americans for Technology Leadership (AfTL), which lists Microsoft as a founding member, expressed concern that the EC's action will dampen technology companies' desire to seek a market-leading role in Europe. It also said the ruling will lead to uncertainty on businesses' part about how to work with European regulators.

Jim Prendergast, the executive director of AfTL, said in a statement: "All American companies doing business in Europe should be concerned. This development makes clear that successful American companies will face a higher regulatory standard in Europe and that their entire global business strategy may be hostage to the whims of a few European regulators."

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a third-party intervener that testified during a Microsoft and EC hearing in April, echoed those comments and described the Commission's fines as "arbitrary and capricious".

On the other side, the Software & Information Industry Association (Siia) and the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (Ecis), praised the regulatory body for pursuing the issue, stressing the benefit to third-party software makers.

Thomas Vinje, legal counsel for Ecis, said in a statement: "The precedent set by this case will be vital for the viability of future software products likewise dependent on full interoperability with Microsoft's interlocking monopoly systems."

The Siia, meanwhile, said it hoped Microsoft's interoperability documentation would be "forthcoming promptly".

Ecis, whose membership includes a number of Microsoft competitors, from Oracle to RealNetworks to Sun Microsystems, filed a complaint with the EC in February over making sure third-party software would be fully interoperable with Microsoft Office.

In the antitrust case, Microsoft faces a drop-dead deadline of 24 July to deliver the last set of protocols to the Commission, which is then expected to take another six weeks to vet out the accuracy and completeness of the material.

Dawn Kawamoto writes for CNET News.com