Brussels, Nov 15: A Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) rival used show-and-tell to make its point on Friday that the software giant need not cripple its popular Windows operating system to comply with EU regulators' demands, a source familiar with the case said.
The demonstration came on the last day of a three-day hearing to help the European Commission decide on charges that Microsoft abused its dominance over personal computer operating systems through Windows, found on over 90 percent of computers.

There will be no immediate results from the highly publicized but confidential hearing which followed a predictable pattern with Microsoft defending itself against competitors' complaints about its business practices.
Eventually, European Union hearing officer Karen Williams will send her evaluation to Competition Commissioner Mario Monti who will use it to help him rule after a five-year probe.

The European Union executive is expected to decide by the end of June 2004, but if Microsoft objects it could start a lengthy appeal to the EU's top court in Luxembourg.
Bureau Report