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Microsoft has been fined (again) by the European Union. This time, the Commission brought down the hammer, fining Microsoft € 899 million ($1.35 billion) for failing to comply with a previous decision on patent licensing fees.

While the fine may only be a fraction of the company’s revenue, the fine represents about 10% of the company’s 2007 revenues, putting it towards the maximum end of the fine allowed. Under EC competition rules, a company may only be fined a maximum of 10% of its previous year’s turnover.

[From European Commission Competition Authority ]

According to a number of news sources, the FTC stated today that it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of DoubleClick by Google. The proposed deal, at US$ 3.1 billion deal would make Google the largest internet advertising company in the world.

However, the European Commission has not yet ruled on whether or not Google’s proposed purchase of DoubleClick violates Article 139/2004 [rules on merger control]. A ruling on this is due by April 2008.

They may not have a government, but the Belgians do have one thing: frite week.

According to the Telegraph, 98.5% of Belgians find that the lowly fried potato is the symbol of national unity. Apparently, it’s the only source of agreement amongst the entire kingdom.

Oh, did I mention that the Belgians still do not have a government?

[From Divided Belgium may have had its chips - Telegraph ]

Microsoft, the perennial whipping boy of the industrialized world, announced today that it will not contest the ECJ ruling against it. This seems to be tacit acquiescence on the part of Redmond that it is not the 800-pound gorilla anymore.

[From Microsoft to obey EU antitrust ruling - International Herald Tribune]

In what is perhaps the most important advance towards a new reform treaty for the European Union, the Dutch cabinet in the Hague today announced that it will not hold a new referendum on the upcoming EU reform treaty.

For those who may not remember, the first attempt at a constitution for the EU was killed by the Dutch people, who overwhelmingly voted against the new treaty in 2005.

The move also puts a damper on UK efforts to hold a similar referendum, a vote likely to be against acceptance of the new treaty.

[From nrc.nl - Europa - Kabinet: geen nieuw referendum over EU]
[English language report from BBC News - Dutch cabinet rules out EU vote]