“Microsoft Corp. will probably be fined, forced to disclose programming data to competitors and ordered to change the way it sells its music and video software to settle four-year-old European antitrust allegations, the European Commission said,” Bloomberg News reports.

“Competition Commissioner Mario Monti said new evidence bolsters his case that Microsoft is using its Windows operating system monopoly to control computer network markets and its Media Player software to hamper competitors such as Apple Computer Inc.’s QuickTime,” reports Bloomberg News. “Under EU rules, Microsoft has two months to reply to the allegations and can ask for a hearing to state its case. Competitors would then get another chance to respond. The EU can fine a company a maximum of 10 percent of sales in the past year, which would be $3.2 billion for Microsoft.”

Full article here.