14 DAY TRIAL // The European Commission has decided to fine Microsoft $731 million (€561 million) for failing to provide a web browser choice screen to Windows 7 users on the Old Continent in 2009.
The antitrust regulators said in a statement that Microsoft had broken its promise to offer Internet Explorer alternatives between May 2011 and July 2012.
“Legally binding commitments reached in antitrust decisions play a very important role in our enforcement policy because they allow for rapid solutions to competition problems,” Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia was quoted as saying by Reuters.
“Of course, such decisions require strict compliance. A failure to comply is a very serious infringement that must be sanctioned accordingly,” he added.
Microsoft is yet to release a statement on the EU’s decision, but the company previously said that it wouldn’t appeal any fine that it might receive.
Update: Microsoft has just confirmed that it won't appeal the decision. More information here.