EUROPE Ltd was commissioned to review the competition trial against Microsoft™. The aim of the contract was to generate and support a public discussion in Hungary with a possible spill-over effect towards other EU-member countries regarding the ongoing legal debate between Microsoft™ and the European Commission.

In narrow legal-administrative terms the debate centred around the complaint of a single competitor (RealNetworks™) and one particular product (Media Player™), but the debate and the possible solutions of the conflict were likely to have far reaching consequences for all stakeholders. Quite clearly, a number of economic, political and legal questions were directly affected.

In the frame of the assignment, the economic community entered into discussion that offered an excellent opportunity to re-think and re-formulate existing dogmas and scientific common places. This case is much more than Microsoft™ or even the software industry conflict. It must be seen in the broader context of EU initiatives on innovation, the modern concept of oligopoly and the EU’s effort to catch up with other global economic players (US, Japan, China).

The public discussion on these matters greatly enhanced the understanding of the complexity of competition regulation.  From this both the Hungarian industry and the Hungarian people at large has benefited.

A perception report was also elaborated entitled: "MICROSOFT™, the monopolist - The perception of the December 2004 anti-trust ruling among Hungarian experts".  It detailed the legal, economic and technology arguments related to the issue.

This work strongly contributed to help the public to understand some aspect of the internal market and industrial regulation.