European plane maker, Airbus, has withdrawn its petition in the on going European Union investigation into Microsoft"s activities. The withdrawal has been viewed with some suspicion by Microsoft and analysts, as it comes very close to the companies appeal hearing.
Last week, it was made public that Airbus had made a petition to the EU regarding certain points in the ruling that it was concerned about. It expressed concerns that the judgement could restrict its ability to pick suppliers, and might hamper its business. The intervention by the company was seen as a boost to the case for Microsoft, showing the wider implications of a ruling against Microsoft.
Microsoft"s chief legal representative in Europe, Horacio Gutierrez, described Airbus" action as "unusual", and strange so close to the companies appeal hearing next week. Trying to put a positive face on the action, he remarked that "these actions may illustrate why other industry leaders have been sympathetic to the merits of our case but reluctant to come forward and explain the negative consequences of the commission"s decision".
The case continues; Microsoft"s EU appeal begins in a few weeks.