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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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