An opponent of Microsoft"s is arguing to not allow the software giant to get its way. Microsoft wants to suspend the EU ruling until the Commissions final decision is made. This could take years, and in that time Microsoft could eliminate more competitors.
One of Microsoft"s strongest critics asked a European Union court on Thursday to hear its arguments that the software giant will eliminate rivals if remedies against it are suspended for several years. The European Commission found in March that Microsoft had abused its dominance of personal computer operating systems and told the company to give rival makers of audiovisual software and work group servers a better chance to compete.
Microsoft has said it wants those remedies suspended until its challenge of the Commission decision is finally decided, which is expected to take years. The Computer & Communications Industry Association says this will be too late, and asked the Court of First Instance to let its voice be heard as an intervener on the side of the European Commission. The European Commission gave Microsoft 90 days to separate Windows Media Player, which plays music and video over the Internet, from its Windows operating system.