voa economic report - Microsoft, the EU and Facebook

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is the VOA Special English Economics Report. This week, agreed to end its fight against European Union competition . The world's largest software company withdrew its remaining appeals a European court. Microsoft has faced record European Union and may still owe more. But it says it to put its energies into meeting its legal duties strengthening its relationship with the European Commission. In two four, the commission ordered Microsoft to share information with . This information would help them develop software for server to ",interoperate," or work easily, with Windows. Windows is Microsoft operating system found on more than ninety percent personal computers. The company argued that it needed to trade secrets. But now, Microsoft has agreed to share information with developers for a one-time payment of ten euros. That is about fourteen thousand dollars at current rates. Microsoft also wanted to charge competitors almost six of the sales from products that use its information. in the end it agreed to charge less than a percent for worldwide use. The European Union began investigate Microsoft in nineteen ninety-eight after Sun Microsystems accused company of being anti-competitive-. Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, back. But last month, it lost a big ruling. second-highest court in the European Union agreed that Microsoft its market position. In a separate case, Microsoft decided week not to appeal a thirty-four million dollar fine the Fair Trade Commission in South Korea. But Microsoft at least claim a victory in one of its to expand its Internet business. This week it won right to invest in Facebook and to expand an partnership with the social networking site. Facebook chose Microsoft Google, the leading Internet search company. Microsoft will invest hundred forty million dollars to buy a one and percent interest. Microsoft values Facebook at fifteen billion dollars. reportedly expects about one hundred fifty million dollars in this year. The company will be four years old February and says the site has almost fifty million users. And that's the VOA Special English Economics Report, by Mario Ritter. Our reports are online with transcripts voaspecialenglishcom.. I'm Jim Tedder.

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