Microsoft will soon make a final presentation to seek a settlement with the European Commission of its inquiry into the software giant, it was reported today.
A source said that the EU's executive had not yet reached a conclusion on allegations of abuse of a dominant market position which it has been investigating against Microsoft.
The Commission was expected to take into account Microsoft's presentation and recent conditions imposed on the company by a US court in its decision, the source said.
Neither the Commission nor Microsoft would comment.
EU regulators have alleged that Microsoft bundles its Media Player with its ubiquitous Windows operating system, unfairly damaging rivals such as RealNetworks and Apple Computer Inc's QuickTime.
Brussels also says Microsoft designed Windows to work better with its own server software than with that of rivals, taking away business from competitors who use Linux or other versions of the Unix operating system.
The Wall Street Journalreported today that Microsoft was ready again to try to reach a settlement.
The Commission may either reach a settlement with Microsoft, as the US Justice Department has done, or impose a remedy on the company.
The Justice Department settlement was approved in court, but many opponents of Microsoft - including several states - argued that the settlement did too little.
If the Commission imposes a remedy, experts say the company is certain to take it to court based on its past practices.
The goal of any Commission action when a company is seen to abuse a dominant position is not to punish the firm, for example by imposing a fine, but to restore competition.