MSNBC.com
Timeline EU's pursuit of Microsoft
Key dates in Microsoft’s relationship with EU antitrust regulators:
July 1994 EU and U.S. Justice Department settle allegations about Microsoft’s software licensing and marketing behavior. Microsoft agrees to stop making computer-makers pay a fee for every unit sold, regardless of whether it contained Microsoft software.
Nov. 1997 EU forces Microsoft to release Santa Cruz Operation Inc. from a contract that requires it to include Microsoft code in its UNIX operating system and pay royalties whether it used code or not.
March 1998 EU makes Microsoft alter licensing agreements with Internet service providers that allegedly violate competition rules.
May U.S. Justice Department and 20 states sue Microsoft, charging it thwarted competition to extend monopoly.
Oct. U.S. Justice Department sues Microsoft, alleging it violated 1994 consent decree by forcing computer-makers to sell its Internet browser as a condition of selling Windows.
Dec. EU begins investigating complaints from Sun Microsystems that Microsoft withheld software code rivals needed for their server software to interface as well as Microsoft’s own.
Feb. 2000 EU begins investigating complaints that Windows 2000 would give Microsoft dominant position in e-commerce.
April U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson finds Microsoft violated U.S. antitrust law and attempted to monopolize the Web browser market.
June Jackson orders the breakup of Microsoft into two companies.
Aug. EU sends formal charge sheet accusing Microsoft of abusing its Windows monopoly to dominate the market for server software.
April 2001 EU closes investigation into Microsoft’s investments in European digital cable TV. Company agrees to modify agreements.
June U.S. appeals court throws out Jackson’s breakup order.
Aug. EU sends new charge sheet to Microsoft stemming from Windows 2000 case, accusing it of violating antitrust law by tying its media player into Windows. It also merges the case with the charges regarding server market.
Oct. Microsoft and the U.S. Justice Department tentatively agree to settle U.S. antitrust case.
March 2002 Microsoft proposes concessions to EU that it says go beyond those agreed to in the United States to help rivals’ equipment operate with Windows.
Nov. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly approves most provisions of Microsoft’s settlement with the U.S. government. It prohibits Microsoft from retaliating against computer-makers, allows customers remove icons for Microsoft features and requires that Microsoft disclose more technical data to software developers.
Jan. 2003 Computer, phone and Internet companies file a EU complaint charging Windows XP is designed to extend Microsoft’s dominance into new markets such as instant messaging and mobile phones.
Aug. Backed by new evidence it says show ongoing abuses, EU sends third charge sheet to Microsoft and gives it “last chance” to defend itself before demanding changes in Windows.
Jan. 2004 Mario Monti, antitrust chief of the European Union, prepares a draft ruling against Microsoft.
Feb. Monti rejects Microsoft's offer to include rival digital media software on CD-ROMs sold with Windows. He drafts a ruling that calls for Microsoft to offer computer makers discounted Windows minus its media player and sends it to national regulators for review.
March 15 Advisory committee of EU national regulators unanimously backs Monti’s draft decision.
March 16 Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer holds face-to-face talks with Monti.
March 18 EU says talks failed, decision to be adopted against Microsoft March 24.
Source: The Associated Press
(But, I haven't forgotten that this attack on Microsoft began the huge stock market crash and recession in April, 2000 -during Clinton's watch.)