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