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April 26, 2006

ECIS Media Release - Day 3 of the Microsoft Oral Hearing in Luxembourg

The European Court of First Instance Hearing on Microsoft’s appeal of the European Commission’s March 2004 Decision continued this morning. ECIS is an Intervener in these proceedings and is giving evidence in support of the Commission’s Decision.


This morning the Court heard Microsoft’s argument for why the Commission Decision ordering the supply of interoperability information to work group server competitors should be annulled. Microsoft’s presentation purported to show that there is no interoperability problem.


Statement by Thomas Vinje
Legal Counsel, ECIS


"This morning’s Microsoft presentation confirms the March 2004 conclusions of the Commission. Microsoft determines if and how computer server systems will interoperate with Microsoft’s desktop monopoly.


"So long as it is in Microsoft’s business interest, it will provide necessary interoperability information. When it is no longer in Microsoft’s business interest, it ceases to supply this information, interoperability is compromised, and market choice is restricted."

About ECIS

ECIS is an international non-profit association founded in 1989 that strives to promote market conditions in the ICT sector allowing vigorous competition on the merits and a diversity of consumer choice. ECIS has actively represented its members on many issues related to interoperability and competition before European, national and international bodies, including the EU institutions and WIPO, and is an official Intervener in the legal proceedings arising from the Commission’s March 2004 Microsoft Decision.


ECIS’ members include large and smaller information and communications technology hardware and software providers Adobe, Corel, IBM, Linspire, Nokia, Opera, Oracle, RealNetworks, Red Hat, and Sun Microsystems.


ECIS media desk at Burson-Marsteller:
Tel: +32 2 743 66 10
Fax: +32 2 735 85 28
Email: info@e-c-i-s.org

   
 

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