London (England) - Microsoft will undergo a series of significant changes to comply with a ruling originally set down by the European Union in 2004.
The regulatory EU organization found Microsoft guilty of monopoly abuse, and it said the software giant would need to be more open about sharing information with other companies. Additionally, it will need to make a version of Windows that does not come packed with Windows Media Player.
Appeals prevented these regulations from being firmly put into place, but after Microsoft lost its latest appeal last month, the EU has stepped up its efforts to get Microsoft to follow orders.
The group's competition commissioner Neelie Kroes says it reached a deal with Steve Ballmer to begin compliance with stipulated regulations.
"It is a victory day for the consumer," said Kroes. She also said, however, that not all outstanding obligations have been solved.
Companies will now be able to receive "complete and accurate" data from Microsoft that will enable them to make compatible software for Windows. Microsoft will be allowed to charge a one-time fee of 10,000 euros ($14,300) for each request. That's less than seven percent of what Microsoft used to charge for worldwide licenses.
Kroes says this move will be especially important for open-source software makers. "I have always said that open source software developers must be able to take advantage of this remedy: now they can," she was quoted as saying in an Associated Press story.
These terms are required by law, and the EU says it will be sure to keep Microsoft on its toes so that it does not fall out of compliance.
The regulatory EU organization found Microsoft guilty of monopoly abuse, and it said the software giant would need to be more open about sharing information with other companies. Additionally, it will need to make a version of Windows that does not come packed with Windows Media Player.
Appeals prevented these regulations from being firmly put into place, but after Microsoft lost its latest appeal last month, the EU has stepped up its efforts to get Microsoft to follow orders.
The group's competition commissioner Neelie Kroes says it reached a deal with Steve Ballmer to begin compliance with stipulated regulations.
"It is a victory day for the consumer," said Kroes. She also said, however, that not all outstanding obligations have been solved.
Companies will now be able to receive "complete and accurate" data from Microsoft that will enable them to make compatible software for Windows. Microsoft will be allowed to charge a one-time fee of 10,000 euros ($14,300) for each request. That's less than seven percent of what Microsoft used to charge for worldwide licenses.
Kroes says this move will be especially important for open-source software makers. "I have always said that open source software developers must be able to take advantage of this remedy: now they can," she was quoted as saying in an Associated Press story.
These terms are required by law, and the EU says it will be sure to keep Microsoft on its toes so that it does not fall out of compliance.