It looks obvious

The EU decision, to fine Microsoft and to uphold the commissioner’s decision to remove free additional applications from Windows distributions, has nothing to do with consumers interests. The commissioner and the appeal court fighting a battle, on a war that was over awhile ago and not because of government regulations. The reality is that Microsoft hegemony is weakening and people have other choices, and increasing number of them (me included) choosing to move away from Microsoft’s window. 

It is ironic to note that while the EU version of protecting consumers is to deprive them from free software offering, other corporations battling Microsoft where it is really meter - by offering competing solutions.In today’s news we learn that IBM joining the crowded field of alternatives to Microsoft Office with its new Symphony and Yahoo decides to buy Zimbra and compete seriously on the corporate e-mail market. Microsoft position as nearly monopoly is much more threatened by the rival corporations moves than by the EU "protection" of free competition. Not surprising is the fact that rivalry to Microsoft’s hegemony developed in the US, where the government was less fierce in protecting competition, and not in Europe. 

As weird as it might sound, the idea that protecting the consumer interest is better served by ensuring lower level of offering,instead of free competition that foster better and richer solutions, is still very popular - that is why socialism is still appealing to many people.