Microsoft Appeals EU Fine

On Saturday, Microsoft revealed that it has filed an appeal with the European Union's Court of First Instance in Luxembourg seeking to eliminate a $1.3 billion fine that was imposed on February 27, 2008. The European Commission (EC) fined the company for failing to meet the conditions of its antitrust ruling in a timely manner.

"We are filing this appeal in a constructive effort to seek clarity from the Court," Microsoft wrote in a statement, providing no further explanation. The company has not explained why it appealed or provided a copy of the filing it made with the court.

What Microsoft is not contesting is that it repeatedly failed to meet its legal obligations in Europe. When the EC fined Microsoft earlier this year, it had failed to comply with its 2004 antitrust ruling for 488 days. But that wasn't the first fine for tardiness. The EC has fined Microsoft over $2.5 billion during the antitrust process there, all for failing to comply with the ruling.

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