Sorry, couldn't resist it, off-topic or not (and it's not for me, as some of you will already know). -----Original Message----- From: Infocomp@cec.eu.int To: chris@centralmanclc.com Sent: 12/5/01 12:01 PM Subject: RE: 011205-C.PUTTICK-EN-Microsoft Dear Sir, Thanks for your mail which has been forwarded to the responsible Unit. You are not the first person to draw our attention on these points. PS For your information : The hearing with Microsoft, which was scheduled for 20-21 December, has been cancelled at the request of Microsoft, who have decided to exercise their right not to have a hearing. Best regards, Patricia Boeynaems Infocomp -----Original Message----- From: Chris Puttick [mailto:chris@centralmanclc.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 11:37 AM To: COMP INFO4 Subject: 011205-C.PUTTICK-EN-Microsoft Hi With regard to the upcoming Microsoft anti-competitive hearing: has it yet come to the Commission's attention the negotiations that have been taking place in the UK, in which only Microsoft are participating, for software licences worth hundred's of millions of euros, and which will leave British government institutions locked into the Microsoft model when the deal ends in 3 years? Of specific note would be the recently completed NHS example. If you want further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be grateful for any response regarding the above matter. Regards Chris Puttick +44 (0)161 212 1972