The Commission said earlier this year that its “preliminary view” was that Microsoft had violated European anti-trust law in the browser case. Microsoft has said that the Commission wants it to pay a “significant fine based on worldwide sales of Windows operating systems” and also might require it to distribute several browsers on new PCs. Last month, Microsoft said it would offer a version of its new Windows 7 operating system without Internet Explorer in Europe, but that move did not seem to placate Commission officials, who said that “Rather than more choice, Microsoft seems to have chosen to provide less.”

SEE ALSO: Will Microsoft Use Google To Boost Its Case In Front Of EC?

Each party—but particularly Microsoft—may have an impetus to settle. Bloomberg said that Commissioner Neelie Kroes (pictured left) would like a ruling before her term ends. Microsoft, meanwhile, is likely not expecting a ruling in its favor (It said in late May that it would not even bother going through with its right to a hearing in the case because many top Commission officials would likely not be able to attend). Settlement talks therefore give Microsoft at least some voice in the ultimate decision.