“In the light of changes in Microsoft’s behavior, the increased opportunity for third parties to exercise their rights directly before the national courts and experience gained since the adoption of the 2004 Decision, the Commission no longer requires a full time monitoring trustee to assess Microsoft’s compliance,” the Commission wrote.

 

While the Redmond-based company had the obligation to supply the European Commission with interoperability information following a 2004 decision, the Commission said the monitoring will now be performed by technical consultants to advise on issues that arise from time to time.

 

Under the 2004 decision, Microsoft was found responsible of infringing two articles of the EEA agreement, by refusing to supply interoperability information, and by tying Windows Media Player with its operating system.

 

The ruling cost Microsoft 497 million Euros and resulted in the Commission establishing a monitoring system that Microsoft had to pay for.

 

However, even if the Commission seems more indulgent with Microsoft this time, this decision has nothing to do with the Internet Explorer – Windows bundle, which is also under discussion at the moment.

 

But, Microsoft seems to have taken a step in the right direction, after it has been reported that its next Windows 7 build will also include an option for users to remove Internet Explorer 8.