Showdown in Europe

The June 1 deadline for Microsoft to comply with the European Commission's antitrust ruling is looming.

One major sticking point appears to be the terms under which the company will share technical information with rivals in the computer server market, to help their programs work more effectively with Windows. BusinessWeek details on the situation in this story, quoting a lawyer who says the outcome will be "a defining moment" for European Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes. The Financial Times reports that the commission shows "no sign of backing down."

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported this week on RealNetworks' ongoing contention that Microsoft should be required to sell the special version of Windows without Windows Media Player for less than it sells the full-fledged version. The commission ordered Microsoft to sell the stripped-down version, potentially opening the door to alternative digital media players, but Microsoft says the order doesn't prevent it from offering both versions for the same price. Logically speaking, computer makers and consumers would have less incentive to buy Windows without the media player for the same price as they could buy Windows with the media player. But the WSJ says the European Commission is "reluctant" to tackle that aspect of the issue.