As a Canadian, I sincerely hope that that MS doesn't pay. In my wildest dreams, I don't expect MS to then say p*ss off, EU... because that would be more expensive than not paying. Still, a boy can dream.

Surely the next effort would be an import duty on MS products to recoup the unpaid fine. This will improve the spreadsheet comparison of MS vs. cheaper and better competition. Then maybe we can get out of this MS driven software morass that encumbers business worldwide. The EU has enough clout to drive this revolution. I, for one, hope that they have the political will to follow through.

It's called open source, the idea of free software makes me weak in the knees and sick to my stomach. You must stop these evil doing ass holes Microsoft! 

Long live Vista!!

This problem can be easily solved using the simple algorithm below (after all, Microsoft LIKES algorithms):

EC Monitors Microsoft for anticompetitive, government-manipulating, corporate-bully behaviour. If detected, enter following loop:
a) EC Levies another fine.
b) Does Microsoft contest fine? 
Yes - continue 
No - goto step (d).
c) EC doubles fine.
d) All fines paid? 
Yes - Exit loop and continue monitoring 
No - goto step (e)
e) Is Microsoft bankrupt yet?
Yes - Exit loop, the world is now a better place; richer Europeans dance in the streets and hug penguins.
No - goto step (a)

This algorithm would run on Linux, OSX, and also on Windows systems, so in any case would continue to work great if the EU government decides to pull the plug on Microsoft (the *right thing to do*, TM).

Please MS leave Europe, then we will see many competitors and prices drop. And all will be better in software.

Of course with prices so high that should have already stimulated someone into making an OS to compete with MS.

I doubt the EU Commission has the authority to stop Microsoft trading in the EU. Don't pay them Microsoft. The EU is becoming as bad as the US when it comes to freedom on all issues. We in Europe are being engulfed by a dark power.

If I were MS, I would pull all my products from the EU and not pay the fine. Screw-um. Let the EU run OS-X and Linux.

If only Voledemort possessed the Tweak EU power toy.