The European Union is threatening to fine Microsoft Corp. up to 2 million euros - $2.37 million - a day for failing to obey its 2004 antitrust ruling, accusing the company of intransigence in sharing information with competitors.
"I have given Microsoft every opportunity to comply with its obligations. However, I have been left with no alternative other than to proceed via the formal route to ensure Microsoft's compliance," said EU Antitrust Commissioner Neelie Kroes.
The threat of new sanctions against Microsoft aims to force it to provide more detailed information so competitors' products can be made more compatible with Microsoft's Windows server operating system.
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In March 2004, the EU ordered Microsoft to pay 497 million euros ($613 million), share server software blueprints with rivals and offer an unbundled version of Windows without the Media Player software for what it saw as an abuse of its dominant position in the industry.
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