( AFP ) - Microsoft lost on Monday a landmark EU antitrust case at Europe's second-highest court, which upheld a record 497-million-euro (690-million-dollar) fine imposed by the European Commission in 2004.
"The Court of First Instance essentially upholds the Commission's decision finding that Microsoft abused its dominant position," it said in its ruling delivered in Luxembourg.
The verdict was a blow to the software giant, which had requested the European Court of First Instance (CFI) to annul the 2004 anti-trust ruling.
It was especially painful in terms of Microsoft's business strategy, which has seen the US company becomes one of the biggest and most profitable enterprises in the world.
Immediately after the verdict, the EU's top competition regulator, said in a brief statement that it "welcomes" the outcome.
Billed as one of the biggest EU court judgements ever, the verdict holds huge stake for both Microsoft and for Europe's capacity to regulate corporate giants from all over the world.