The end of the Microsoft antitrust cases?

On 22 October, Microsoft announced that it would take the steps required to comply fully with the March 2004 decision of the European Commission, that it would not appeal the September 2007 decision of the Court of First Instance, and that it would "continue to work closely with the Commission and the industry to ensure a flourishing and competitive environment for information technology in Europe and around the world." In the US case, most of the historic Microsoft Antitrust Consent Decree will expire on 12 November. It is therefore an appropriate time to assess the two cases against Microsoft in the light of rapidly evolving markets, refinements in economic theories of technological innovation, and the increasing challenges of operating a global business under multiple antitrust regimes. The Searle Center at Northwestern University School of Law organizes a conference on 15 and 16 November in which several distinguished academics and practitioners will present their views on the topic. TILEC will be represented by Pierre Larouche, who will participate in a panel on "Microsoft, The European Court of First Instance and Beyond". For more details on the conference, please visit the website of Northwestern School of Law.