EU Antitrust Head to Meet with Ballmer

Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer is scheduled to meet with European Commission competition chief Neelie Kroes next week, her spokesperson confirmed to the press on Friday. While the exact topic of the Wednesday morning meeting is not known, the EU had received complaints that possibly could lead to a new case against the software giant. Last year, Microsoft was forced to pay 497 million euros for antitrust violations.

A spokesperson for Microsoft played down the meeting's significance, saying it was a routine meeting to discuss policy issues with the organization. The discussion was not requested by Kroes, however; Ballmer is on a business trip and had requested a meeting with her while in Europe. Ballmer is also scheduled to meet Siim Kallas, EU administration head.