Microsoft says it will meet most demands by European Union regulators on making software blueprints available to competitors, including lowering licensing fees, but is seeking further talks on some issues.

Microsoft said it delivered a letter to EU regulators on Monday detailing its intentions.

EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said Monday afternoon that he could not yet confirm that the commission received Microsoft's latest letter, but said, "We have received a letter in response" to our questions that Microsoft sent before Easter.

He said the EU was "studying it carefully." He gave no further comment on the content of Microsoft's letter or on Monday's announcement.

Microsoft shares fell one cent to $24.11 in morning trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, and are near their 52-week low of $23.82.

The EU last month threatened new fines if Microsoft doesn't make it easier and cheaper for competitors to see the blueprints, known as source code.

Brad Smith, Microsoft's top lawyer, said the Redmond, Wash.-based company told the European Union it isn't opposed to licensing the code to open-source developers as long as it's assured that its intellectual property will be safeguarded.

Open-source programs led by the Linux operating system pose perhaps the most serious threat to Microsoft because their code is freely shared, while Microsoft closely guards its source code.

Smith said Microsoft also wants clarification on whether concerns that view its source code can develop and distribute software outside of Europe.

The EU compelled Microsoft, in a March 2004 antitrust ruling in which it fined the company 497 million euros ($640 million dollars), to share the source code with competitors who make server software so their products can better communicate with Windows-powered computers.

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Source : CRN