Microsoft faces UK court cases

MICROSOFT faces a wave of multi-million pound lawsuits in the English courts, led by Sun Microsystems, following its record £331m fine from the European Union for anti-competitive behaviour.

European competition commission head Mario Monti confirmed the e497.2m (£331.1m) fine today.

He gave Bill Gates's computer empire 120 days to 'disclose complete and accurate interface documentation which would allow non-Microsoft work groups to achieve full operability with Windows PCs and servers'.

Sun was the only computer firm to file its own complaint with the EU over Microsoft's refusal to hand over server information.

Its European lawyer Michael Reynolds, head of anti-trust at Allen & Overy, said: 'We are reviewing all our options based on this decision and taking legal action in member states is a clear option.'

Microsoft has also been ordered to offer PC manufacturers a version of Windows without Media Player within 90 days. It can still offer Media Player separately.

Thomas Vinje of lawyers Clifford Chance acts for trade body the Computer and Communication Industry Association, which filed against Microsoft in the EU competition case. He thought both RealNetworks and Novell would sue, with London courts a good choice for actions.

Stephen Kinsella of lawyers Herbert Smith said Microsoft cases could come to the Competition Appeals Tribunal, where a case has just begun against Hoffman La Roche following a £309m EU fine in 2001 over a vitamin cartel.