“Microsoft has attempted to settle its long-running competition case with the European Commission by proposing that rival companies’ products be included on CD-ROMs supplied with personal computers.

But so far the Commission, the regulatory arm of the European Union, has indicated that the proposal - a centrepiece of Microsoft’s push to resolve the case - is not enough.

Microsoft’s rivals also believe the suggestion fails to meet their concerns, arguing that the pick-up rate for software provided on such CD-ROMs is extremely low.

The Commission has reached a preliminary decision that Microsoft has broken European law by choking out competitors and intends to give a final ruling before May.”