The Associated Press (via AOL) reports:

“Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it has withdrawn the two remaining appeals related to an EU antitrust order that it now says it will stop fighting.”

Microsoft finally dropped its appeal against the huge fines (280.5 million euros) given by the EU in July 2006 for not sharing its technical information with rivals. Microsoft said it paid the fine in October 2006.

It also mentioned it is trading its secrets on an Open Source basis. “We believe its important at this stage to focus all of our energies on complying with our legal obligations and strengthening our constructive relationship with the European Commission,” said Erich Andersen, European general counsel for Microsoft.

Microsoft didn’t learn from its past mistakes, so it fumbles once again. Let’s pray this is the last time!

[tags]Microsoft, Technology seed, BRUSSELS[/tags]