MICROSOFT CORP. SAID WEDNESDAY THAT THE EU'S DECISION TO SLAP IT WITH A ¤280.5 MILLION (US$357 MILLION) FINE FOR FAILING TO OBEY A 2004 ANTITRUST ORDER TO SHARE PROGRAM CODE WITH RIVALS WAS UNJUST AND SAID IT WOULD TAKE THE MATTER TO COURT. «WE DO NOT BELIEVE ANY FINE, LET ALONE A FINE OF THIS MAGNITUDE, IS APPROPRIATE GIVEN THE LACK OF CLARITY IN THE (EU) COMMISSION'S ORIGINAL DECISION AND OUR GOOD-FAITH EFFORTS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS,» MICROSOFT GENERAL COUNSEL BRAD SMITH SAID IN A STATEMENT. HE SAID THE U.S.-BASED SOFTWARE MAKER WOULD APPEAL THE FINE IN COURT, ACCORDING TO A REPORT OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
