Microsoft Pays Record Fine into EU Coffers

Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, has paid a record fine of €497.2 million to the European Union, but the company says it has not given up its fight. The Microsoft contribution makes it possible for Germany alone to reduce its contribution to the EU coffers by €125 million, the German paper Die Welt reported. Germany in general provides a quarter of the total EU budget. On March 24, Brussels ruled that Microsoft was guilty of a so-called "abuse of dominant market position" and imposed hard-hitting sanctions on the firm. Microsoft was ordered to offer a version of its Windows operating system, used on 90 percent of the world's computers, without its media player, which allows users to play music and videos on their PCs. Microsoft is currently appealing the ruling to the European Court of Justice. On Thursday, the EU temporarily lifted its order until the court has a chance to hear the appeal. A final ruling is expected within the next two months. (EUobserver.com)