By Vanessa Mock
BRUSSELS--European Union competition chief Joaquin Almunia on
Tuesday announced a major probe into Microsoft Inc. (MSFT), to
investigate whether the firm failed to meet earlier obligations to
allow users easy access to other web browsers.
Mr. Almunia vowed to move fast with a "very rigorous
investigation" into whether the software giant failed to properly
implement a demand by EU regulators to offer users a choice screen
allowing them to choose their preferred web browser.
Using unusually strong language, Mr. Almunia said if the case is
confirmed, he would "use all legal instruments with all the
capacity to deter and to punish." If confirmed, it would be the
first time a company has flouted earlier commitments, he said. The
move could see the company face hundreds of millions of euros in
fines.
"We take compliance with our decisions very seriously. And I
trusted the company's reports were accurate. But it seems that was
not the case," Mr. Almunia told reporters in Brussels. "If,
following our investigation, the infringement is confirmed,
Microsoft should expect sanctions."
If found guilty, Microsoft could face a maximum fine of 10% of
its turnover.
The case relates to a legally binding commitment Microsoft
undertook in 2009 to offer so-called remedies in a long-running
competition probe into the dominance of its client PC operating
system.
"This is in my view a very important case to ensure all the
citizens and all the companies operating in the market that
competition law requires a real serious enforcement," Mr. Almunia
said.
Write to Vanessa Mock at vanessa.mock@dowjones.com