Microsoft
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Microsoft
Microsoft's battle with the European Commission escalated on Thursday, as the company accused the commission for conspiring against its competitors in the software market and of again withholding documents it says are crucial to its defense in an antitrust case. With the threat of daily fines of 2 million euros hanging over it, This company is facing a new suit brought just before Christmas, when the commission accused the company of failing to honor the antitrust ruling made in March 2004. Two weeks ago, Microsoft responded to the accusations, and claims that it was abiding by the 2004 ruling but had been denied the chance to fully defend itself. Microsoft's battle with the European Commission escalated Thursday, as the company accused the commission of colluding with its competitors in the software market and of again withholding documents it says are crucial to its defense in an antitrust case. With the threat of daily fines of 2 million euros, Microsoft is facing a new suit brought before Christmas, when the commission accused the company of failing to honor the antitrust ruling made in March 2004. In that ruling, the commission found the company guilty of monopoly abuse and ordered it to change the way it sold its software in Europe. Two weeks ago, Microsoft responded to the accusations, claiming it was abiding by the 2004 ruling but had been denied the chance to fully defend itself. The commission will hold hearings on March 30 and 31 in Brussels to give Microsoft another opportunity to argue its case.