EU picks 10 groups for Microsoft case

RealNetworks Inc. and Novell Inc. are among the companies permitted by a European Union court to argue against Microsoft Corp.'s appeal of an EU order to change its business practices.

The Luxembourg-based court said it also admitted Computer and Communications Industry Association and one other trade group to argue against Microsoft's request to suspend the EU ruling. The court named 10 companies or groups, including Pace Micro Technology Plc and the Association for Competitive Technology that counts EBay Inc. as a member, to argue on Microsoft's side at the hearing, which will take place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

The European Commission, the EU's regulatory arm, in March ordered Microsoft to license data on the inner workings of Windows and to strip its music and video player from some versions of the operating system. Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, said the ruling hurts consumers and undermines successful companies' innovative efforts.

"We look forward to taking our case to the court," said Tom Brookes, a Microsoft spokesman. "We believe we have a strong case for suspension and that the remedies as set out by the commission will hurt the industry, consumers and Microsoft."

Microsoft appealed the commission's decision on June 8.

at the Court of First Instance, the EU's second-highest court. The commission said it won't enforce its orders until there is a decision on whether they should be suspended.

Microsoft, the commission, and the supporters for both sides met Bo Vesterdorf, the tribunal's president, Tuesday in Luxembourg to set the date for the hearing.

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