EC extends the deadline for Microsoft to defend itself

With two weeks to go before the original eight-week deadline for Microsoft to present its response to the European Commission's latest Statement of Objections, the EC announced late today it has granted Microsoft's request to extend the deadline another three weeks, to April 21. This from EC spokesperson Jonathan Todd, in statements to Reuters and other sources.

Microsoft was ordered to prepare an oral statement for the EC as a defensive response to the Statement. That defense would center on the company's continued bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows. How the EC receives that response will determine whether it pursues legal action against Microsoft, the result of which could include a new round of fines. Spokesperson Todd has also intimated to several sources that Microsoft may also be compelled to give customers who are setting up or upgrading to Windows 7, the option of installing alternate Web browsers.

3:10 pm EDT March 11, 2009 - A Microsoft spokesperson in Belgium confirmed the new dates for Betanews this afternoon.