European Union sources confirmed yesterday that the European Commission had sent a statement of objections to Microsoft outlining concerns about the US software giant's practices, but declined to elaborate.

The sources, reacting to an article in Belgian newspaper Het Belang Van Limbourg, said the statement had been sent less than six months ago and that the Commission had already received an answer from Microsoft.

The Commission may now organise a closed-door hearing with the parties concerned, sources said, declining to say who had complained about the company.

The EU executive sends statements of objections only when it has serious concerns about fair competition in the European market.

The sources declined to say what the concerns were, but said the statement of objections did not concern Microsoft's recent decision to invest in Apple Computer.