Brussels, 08/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - Microsoft appealed to the Court of First Instance of the EU on Monday against the Commission's decision condemning it for abuse of dominate position. Horacio Gutierrez, the company's Associate General Counsel, launched the appeal against the obligations imposed by the European Commission decision (EUROPE yesterday pp 13 and 14). According to Gutierrez, these obligations obstruct research and development "which are important for global economic growth". By imposing "significant new obligations' to high performing companies, the Commission is restricting the possibilities of these firms "adding new improvements" to their products, which is not in the interest of consumers, deplored Gutierrez in a press statement. At the same time he provided assurances that Microsoft would continue to collaborate with European governments on important EU consumer issues.