Brussels, 30/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - At a European Parliament hearing last Wednesday, Mario Monti said that the game was not over yet for Microsoft if the IT giant urgently submitted an acceptable compromise. The Competition Commissioner earlier said to MEPs that a draft decision was under discussion and that the European Commission would communicate the outcome of the long investigation in the near future (some sources say late February, early March). "We are not against a settlement if that is clearly in the interests of the consumer, but time is running out" warned Mr Monti. This is likely to mean that Microsoft risks a fine that could reach 10% of its last turnover. A compromise would benefit both parties as it would prevent Microsoft taking the case to the Courts of Justice, which it intends to do should the outcome be not in its favour, a long and complicated process equally damaging to the IT giant and the Commission. According to Reuters, European services are working closely with Microsoft's advisors, though remain undecided as to the nature of the solutions, meaning that the draft decision is yet to be completed in this respect.