Brussels, 13/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - In reaction to the complaint lodged by the CCIA and taken to the European Commission relating to the anti-competitive practices of the Microsoft computer group (see EUROPE 12 February p 12), the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) believes that it is inappropriate to extend the open proceedings further than the four years that are nearly up. CompTIA, which has around 13, 000 members in 89 countries protects the interest of its members in information technology (IT) and is hoping for the Commission to reach a decision on Microsoft in the next few months and restrict its investigation to the elements it already possesses, "instead of dragging the dispute out further as requested by a small minority of Microsoft competitors". Mentioning the amicable agreement between Microsoft, the US Department of Justice and nine US states (Microsoft was committed to allowing its competitors more room to propose alternatives to the Microsoft Windows system), Lars Liebler, member of the CompTIA antitrust counsel pointed out that, "this framework more than adequately addresses the concerns of consumers, competitors and we hope, the European Commissioner regulators too". CompTIA is looking at the US Court of Appeal's argument whereby Microsoft had introduced too many features in its Windows European system (a fact on which the CCIA has based its complaint) but that this was, "lawful, that it is pro-competitive, and, most importantly, it benefits consumers". CompTIA is also requesting that the Commission reject the arguments of the new complaint when it reaches its decision. CompTIA concludes that, "Consumers and the ICT industry deserve a consistent, timely and final decision, and broadening the scope of the investigation at this time would substantially delay and frustrate any final outcome".