EU Legal Timeline

Dec. 1998: Sun Microsystems files a complaint with the European Commission (EC), the administrative body that oversees fair competition law for the European Union (EU). Sun alleges that Microsoft refuses to disclose communications protocols used by Windows Server and the Windows client OS and claims that this makes it impossible to create servers that work with Windows desktops in the same way that Windows Server does. The EC begins an investigation, which later broadens to include other products and technologies.

Mar. 2004: Concluding its investigation, the EC fines Microsoft €497 million (equivalent to US$613 million at that time) and orders the company to take certain steps to encourage competition. Among those steps: Microsoft must document communications protocols used by Windows Server and license these protocols for use by competitors. Microsoft appeals the ruling and asks a higher court to stay the EC’s remedy order while the appeal is pending. (See “EU Aims to Restrict ‘Future Conduct’” on page 36 of the May 2004 Update.)