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Microsoft rivals upbeat after EU anti-trust hearings
Brussels, Nov 15: Microsoft wrapped up its case today at the end of three days of EU anti-trust hearings which could have far-reaching consequences for the US software giant.
Brussels, Nov 15: Microsoft wrapped up its case today at the end of three days of EU anti-trust hearings which could have far-reaching consequences for the US software giant.
Rivals of Bill Gates' Seattle-based titan appeared upbeat as the talks drew to a close, although talk of a possible compromise solution also remained in the air.
"We are very, very pleased," said Ed Black, head of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, which includes Oracle Corporation, Nokia, Sun Microsystems and others.
"The proceedings are extremely fair to Microsoft, but in spite of that we feel very confident about the outcome," he said.
During the closed-door talks Microsoft pledged to "work things out" with the EU's competition commissioner Mario Monti in what it called constructive talks.
But its chief lawyer brad smith gave no concrete signs of what solutions could be found.
And its rivals said Microsoft is struggling to convince the Brussels commission.
"Microsoft's arguments sounded superficially good but we punctured their balloon very thoroughly. All the 30 parties have in their own way have devastated their arguments," said one source.
The source lashed out at Microsoft's hint that it would seek a compromise solution. Bureau Report
"We are very, very pleased," said Ed Black, head of the Computer and Communications Industry Association, which includes Oracle Corporation, Nokia, Sun Microsystems and others.
"The proceedings are extremely fair to Microsoft, but in spite of that we feel very confident about the outcome," he said.
During the closed-door talks Microsoft pledged to "work things out" with the EU's competition commissioner Mario Monti in what it called constructive talks.
But its chief lawyer brad smith gave no concrete signs of what solutions could be found.
And its rivals said Microsoft is struggling to convince the Brussels commission.
"Microsoft's arguments sounded superficially good but we punctured their balloon very thoroughly. All the 30 parties have in their own way have devastated their arguments," said one source.
The source lashed out at Microsoft's hint that it would seek a compromise solution. Bureau Report