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22/12/04
Priority Must Now be Placed on Settlement
John Higgins, Director General of Intellect, comments as European Competition Commission Rules on Microsoft Sanctions:
"Following today's ruling we call on the European Competition Authorities to look to return to the negotiation table and try to settle this case. Priority must be placed on trying to settle these cases rather than spending years in court. The impact of a protracted and expensive case on Europe's ability to achieve its Lisbon Agenda objectives cannot be underestimated. Indeed it is cases such as this one on which Europe’s commitment to the Lisbon Agenda will be judged."
"If Europe, and within it the UK, is to achieve its knowledge economy goals then focus must be given to creating an environment which protects and incentivises innovation, intellectual property development, investment in research and development and consumer welfare, and which ultimately creates a climate encouraging of technology transfer."
"It is therefore vital that settlement discussions resume to resolve this dispute as soon as possible and it is imperative that any resolution should provide global regulatory consistency. The high-tech sector is increasingly global and interconnected, making regulatory consistency more important now than ever. Consequently, the Commission's case against Microsoft should be resolved in a manner consistent with the approach taken by regulators around the world, including the U.S. Department of Justice. Any other approach would reduce legal certainty and curtail private sector activity in this important market."
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