The EC slapped Microsoft with what

In 2008 the EC slapped Microsoft with what was at that time about a $1.3 billion fine equal to a little over 2% of the company's fiscal '08 earnings for not complying with an previously order to help Linux interoperate with its server software. The regulator was as well unhappy with what Microsoft charged to open up claiming its prices were high enough to make it non-complying.

The EC about Google

Microsoft complained to the EC about Google, which only has a few days left to resolve the case the EC has been building against it for abusing its dominance in search. It could theoretically nail Google for 10% of its annual global earnings, a fine the EC has never levied however Microsoft would love to see happen.

Maureen O'Gara the most read innovation reporter for the past 20 years, is the Cloud Computing and Virtualization News Desk editor of SYS-CON Media. She is the publisher of famous "Billygrams" and the editor-in-chief of "Client/Server News" for more than a decade. One of the most respected research reporters in the business, Maureen can be reached by email at maureen(at)sys-con.com or paperboy(at)g2news.com, and by phone at 516 759-7025. Twitter: @MaureenOGara