Background

This letter represents the general perception of informed people on the monopoly case

IP/04/365

Brussels, 18 March 2004

Commissioner Monti's statement on Microsoft
 

I would just like to inform you that a settlement on the Microsoft case has not been possible.
I therefore intend to propose to my colleagues in the Commission next Wednesday to adopt a decision, which has already received the unanimous backing of Member States.
I would like to stress the constructive and co-operative spirit displayed by Microsoft in the last few weeks. I also want to acknowledge the high degree of professionalism of the members of the Microsoft team at all levels.
We made substantial progress towards resolving the problems which have arisen in the past but we were unable to agree on commitments for future conduct.
In the end, I had do decide what was best for competition and consumers in Europe. I believe they will be better served with a decision that creates a strong precedent.
It is essential to have a precedent which will establish clear principles for the future conduct of a company with such a strong dominant position in the market.

declaration in PDF press release

Now this sounds promising, but unfortunately reality is more like this ("i, cringeley")