Brad Smith, general counsel for Microsoft, said in a conference call that a final ruling is likely to drag on for many years yet.

"This case has another four or five years of litigation ahead of it," he said. "The EC has had the first word but the European courts will have the final word."

• Read full article
• Read full article in new window
• See other articles by Andy McCue
• See other articles published by ZDNet UK
• Today's headlines
• Headlines for Mar 25, 2004