Microsoft seem to be a complainant in this case. From the Beeb, as already linked...
I wonder if the Brussels workforce have ever considered the possibility that the big tech giants are just winding them up, maybe even laughing at them?
It certainly is interesting how EU regulators will snarl and bare their teeth over US tech companies, yet turn a blind eye to (for example) large German auto companies. I’m thinking of the diesel emmisions swindle, I personally feel certain the EU regulators must have known all along that something very fishy was afoot. Difference was, when exposed by respected US test labs, backed by actual authority, EU really had to jump into action. Still, as long as the folks in Brussels feel important, I guess they are happy.
Truck producers – 2.93 billion euros
In July 2016, the Commission fined MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco, and DAF a total of 2.93 billion euros for forming a cartel and colluding on truck prices for 14 years.
The largest individual fine was on Daimler for 1.008 billion euros. DAF was hit with a fine of 752 million euros, while Volvo/Renault was fined 670 million euros.
Daimler is German
Also
French firm Saint-Gobain received the largest fine of 880 million euros, while U.K. firm Pilkington was hit with a fine of 357 million euros.
Now is the fine stupid?
The EU have decided that bundling your own software in your operating system as an automated default is unreasonable practice and will fine for it, or at least when there is competitor software available, e.g. windows calculator is fine but not windows media player and the browser.
I think the size of the fine isnt an issue, as it has to be big enough for the company to take notice, something UK regulators should take note off e.g. google wouldnt bat an eyelid at say a 5 million fine as thats pocket change to them.
So it comes down to the reason for the fine, and I think the only thing that matters here is the law in the region which the product is sold, no matter how stupid the law may be, law is law. I cannot be bothered to see if there is any specific competition law on software bundling so I remain of "no opinion" if the fine is stupid or not, but if the law exists it is probably a stupid law.
Trump's tweet is just embarrassing.