Microsoft Complies with EU Antitrust Orders, Rivals Gained Access to Secret Codes

Shares of Microsoft Corp. fell slightly in premarket trading after the software giant agreed to comply immediately with antitrust orders from a European Union court. The Luxembourg-based European Court of First Instance ruled that delaying the execution of the EU ruling wouldn't cause Microsoft irreparable damage. As a result, Microsoft will create a website to offer rivals access to secret codes demanded by E.U. regulators and will supply an unbundled version of its Windows Media Player software without its own-brand Media Player by January.

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft agreed to comply immediately with antitrust orders from a European Union court, which has huge implications for the company.
• The Luxembourg-based European Court of First Instance ruled that delaying the execution of the EU ruling wouldn't cause Microsoft irreparable damage.
• Microsoft will create a website to offer rivals access to secret codes demanded by E.U. regulators as part of their March antitrust ruling.
• Microsoft will supply an unbundled version of its Windows Media Player software without its own-brand Media Player by January.
• Microsoft shares dipped 0.4% to $26.95 in premarket trading.
• Microsoft's chief lawyer Brad Smith stated that the company will comply immediately with the EU ruling.
• The EU ruling forces Microsoft to divulge some trade secrets and produce a version of Windows without its digital Media Player.

Statistics:

• Microsoft shares fell 0.4% to $26.95 in premarket trading.
• The EU ruling has huge implications for Microsoft, which will have to comply with the regulations.
• Microsoft will create a website to offer rivals access to secret codes demanded by E.U. regulators.
• Microsoft will supply an unbundled version of its Windows Media Player software without its own-brand Media Player by January.

Sources:

• ODJ Select via COMTEX
• Dow Jones News (
• Deborah Finestone