Microsoft contests $1.4bn EU fine

[gkd_uk]

Microsoft has appealed against a 899m euros ($1.4bn; £680.9m) fine given for defying sanctions imposed on it for anti-competitive behaviour.

The penalty - the largest ever from the European Commission - came after it failed to comply with a 2004 ruling that it abused its market position.

The ruling said that Microsoft was guilty of not providing key code to rival software makers.

Microsoft said it was appealing to seek "clarity from the court".

The Commission said that it was confident the fine was "legally sound".

Freezing out rivals

The challenge has been lodged with the EU Court of First Instance.

When they handed down the punishment in February, EU regulators said Microsoft was the first to break an EU anti-trust ruling.

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