Brussels, 25/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decision to sanction Microsoft has provoked much reaction. The US Justice Department has sharply criticised this decision which it describes as "unfortunate". Mr Hewitt Pate, in charge of competition at the ministry, stated that "sound antitrust policy must avoid chilling innovation and competition even by 'dominant companies'". According to Pate, imposing a record fine in such a controversial and ambiguous area is a sensitive...