Microsoft continues to seek a settlement with the European Commission, even as Brussels took the next step toward a final judgment in its antitrust case against the software giant.
The Commission has started circulating a rough draft of its final judgment against Microsoft for abusing its dominant position and restricting competition by tying its Media Player programme for playing video and music to its ubiquitous Windows operating system.
"There is a draft on the table and this should come as no surprise, after all the investigation has been going on for long enough. The final stage was the hearing in November and now we have to conclude," Ms Amelia Torres, a spokeswoman for EU Competition Commissioner Mr Mario Monti said.
She did not indicate a time frame but others have said a decision is expected by spring.
The Commission is pursuing a two-track strategy. On one track, the Commission is making step-by-step preparations for its final ruling against the firm.
But at the same time, the Commission continues to talk to Microsoft in an effort to reach a settlement. Such a dual strategy is common in such cases.
Microsoft's general counsel said last Saturday that the company was talking to the Commission about a possible agreement that could avert a ruling that might impose penalties and a large fine on the world's biggest company.