B P Collins Solicitors: talk to the experts
Gerrards Cross: +44(0) 1753 889995
Beaconsfield: +44(0) 1494 675363
Related stories
People 'unaware of intellectual property rights'
3 December 2008
Data sharing powers 'granted to government'
26 November 2008
New website launched to help inventors
17 November 2008
Domain name disputes need "new norm"
31 October 2008
Microsoft appeals against £700m EC fine
12 May 2008
Software giant Microsoft is to appeal against a £700 million fine handed down by the European Commission (EC), it has been revealed.
The Guardian reports that Microsoft had been expected to accept the ruling in order to avoid its relationship with the EC.
A number of IT projects are carried out in partnership between the two organisations, the publication explains.
But an announcement from Microsoft has confirmed that an appeal will be undertaken.
Microsoft stated: "We are filing this appeal in a constructive effort to seek clarity from the court."
However, EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes responded that the fine has a firm legal basis.
The fine was imposed upon Microsoft for failing to comply with a 2004 ruling that required it to share interoperability information for its Windows operating system with fellow software producer Sun Microsystems.
Ms Kroes noted in February that the verdict was the first time in 50 years that a company had failed to comply with such a ruling.
