Brussels, 13/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - US information technology giant, Microsoft, has made a number of commitments to the European Commission that should speed-up the procedures taken against it more than two years ago. In order to alleviate Commission anxieties about the compatibility of Microsoft products with other non-Windows systems, Microsoft has provided the Commission with different information (up to now confidential) that will enable competitors to make their products available with those of Microsoft. This information involves the Kerberos Protocol, and the CISF (Common Internet File System) transfer and document sharing protocol. Although the US group is prepared to provide its competitors with useful information, it will not allow them to "clone" its products. Michael Tscherny, spokes person for Commissioner Monti, was keen to point out that the proposals had not yet been communicated to the Commission. Microsoft is suspected of abusing its dominant position on the user-systems market and imposing its software on companies and end-users (see EUROPE 31 August page 6). After having again replied to questions put to it by the Commission on 16 November, Microsoft decided against holding a hearing in December, which will now make an amicable negotiated settlement more likely. Microsoft is currently in the throes of a legal dispute in the USA, where it is accused of applying illegal means to protect its Windows monopoly.