The European Commission has confirmed it will be meeting on Wednesday to discuss the Microsoft appeal and decide whether or not to fine the company for failing to comply with the 2004 anti-trust decision.

European Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd said: "The commission on Wednesday should be discussing the Microsoft issue and if we have to apply sanctions for (Microsoft) not having respected decisions from March 2004." More from Reuters here.

Earlier this week, Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told reporters she could not imagine any other way to deal with Microsoft apart than fines. More here.

But sources within the Commission are telling the Reg there won't be any announcement next week. They predict the Court of First Instance verdict won't be ready for its waiting public until October at the earliest.

The original decision found Microsoft guilty of abusing its monopoly position in the way it bundled its Media Player and restricted access to its server APIs. Microsoft appealed to the Court of First Instance in a week long hearing in April. It is this verdict we are waiting for. ®