14 DAY TRIAL // The European Commission has recently announced its verdict in the Microsoft case, deciding to fine the Redmond-based technology giant $731 million (€561 million) for not providing Windows 7 users with a browser ballot screen offering Internet Explorer alternatives.
Microsoft has just issued a statement saying that it respects the EU’s decision, so it won’t appeal the fine.
“We take full responsibility for the technical error that caused this problem and have apologized for it. We provided the Commission with a complete and candid assessment of the situation, and we have taken steps to strengthen our software development and other processes to help avoid this mistake – or anything similar – in the future,” the company said in a statement.
According to some sources familiar with the matter, the antitrust regulators could have fined Microsoft up to 10 percent of its global revenues for fiscal year 2012, which amounts for approximately $7.9 billion (€5.6 billion).