Microsoft to appeal EC fine next week

Microsoft is to lodge a formal appeal next week against the European Commission's ruling that it violated antitrust law, and its record €497m fine.

The software giant's appeal will be based on the argument that the ruling will hamper its ability to innovate, and that the Commission is trying to set legal precedents that could have economically damaging implications.

A Microsoft spokeswoman told vnunet.com: "As we indicated in March when the European Commission issued its decision, Microsoft will appeal the ruling. We intend to file our appeal brief with the Court of First Instance [in Luxembourg] next week."

As well as the hefty fine, the Commission ordered Microsoft to offer a version of Windows without a bundled media player, and to disclose more technical information to rivals.