The next stage in long-running saga of Microsoft, antitrust and the European Commission is likely to be an oral hearing behind closed doors in November, where the company will defend itself.

The Commission has already communicated its misgivings to Microsoft, gone away to think about it for a long time then come back, this summer, with a previsional viewpoint which can probably be summarised as, 'nope, you're guilty alright, you've got one last chance to explain.' So it's difficult to see what Microsoft can say in November to change the Commission's view, but this is that last chance.

Almost certainly the company's request for a hearing will simply push the process back, perhaps for a few months, perhaps for longer. But sooner or later, it's going to have to deal with the Commission's demand that it open up its server interfaces, and address the 'ongoing abuse' that is Media Player bundling. Check here for the Commission's most recent views on the subject. ®