An association of small software companies has applied to the EU's highest court to support Microsoft in its appeal of the EU's antitrust ruling.

The International Association of Microsoft Certified Partners said changes the EU has demanded in Microsoft's business practices will result in higher costs for companies developing products for the Microsoft platform.

Per Werngren, president of the association, said: 'It is already hard for small companies to build really good products for one platform. If Microsoft is weakened then we will have to build for other platforms. Costs will be higher and we could lose business.'

Microsoft is appealing the EU's decision of March 2004 which found the company guilty of abusing its dominant position in the market for servers and media players. The EU slapped Microsoft with a 497 mln eur fine and ordered it to make sweeping changes to its business practices.