The European commission (EC) has begun legal action against software and internet firm Microsoft, it has been revealed.Prompted by complaints filed by competitors, the anti-trust campaign will target certain parts of Microsoft's core technology strategy.
The EC aims to find out whether Microsoft misused its dominant market position, thus infringing regulations.
Centring on the issue of interoperability, the case was brought by the European Committee for Interoperable Systems (ECIS), an organisation that exists to promote a "favourable environment for interoperable ICT solutions".
The complaint deals with what ECIS describes as "two of Microsoft's continuing abusive business practices".
Spokesman for the organisation Thomas Vinje stated: "By tying its Internet Explorer product to its monopoly Windows operating system and refusing to faithfully implement industry-accepted open standards, Microsoft deprives consumers of real choice in internet browsers."
The other aspect of the investigation will focus on the Office application suite.
According to the ECIS, Microsoft has refused to disclose full information about the file formats and other technology involved in Office, making it difficult for competitors to create files that can be easily exchanged with it.
The initiation of proceedings against Microsoft does not indicate that the EC has proof of an infringement, only that it will investigate the issue as a matter of priority.
This latest case against Microsoft comes four months after the company lost an appeal against the commission's judgment that it had failed to disclose enough information to allow other organisations to make products that interoperate fully with Windows, the Financial Times reports.
