Reuters - The judge who signed a landmark European antitrust ruling against Microsoft said on Thursday he was surprised by the large size of a record 899 million euro ($1.42 billion) fine imposed by the EU executive against the software company after he had retired.

Reuters - The EU executive will investigate if steps announced by Microsoft Corp to make it easier for users of an open-source rival to work with Microsoft Office would give consumers greater choice.

Reuters - Bill Miller, the star portfolio manager at Legg Mason Capital Management, has not yet decided whether to support a dissident board slate at Yahoo Inc backed by billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

AP - European Union regulators said Thursday they will consider Microsoft Corp.'s promise to make its Office productivity programs work more seamlessly with competing software.

AP - Google billionaire co-founder Larry Page said Thursday the Internet search leader opposed a Microsoft-Yahoo deal because it would monopolize the online communications market, stifle innovation and curb competition.

AP - The European Commission on Thursday cautiously welcomed Microsoft Corp.'s announcement it will make its file format for storing documents compatible with that of rivals but the latter termed the move insufficient and a delaying tactic.

Reuters - Microsoft Corp said on Wednesday it launched a new "cashback" search service that pays users a rebate for buying products they found through the company's Windows Live search engine.