Just when Microsoft thought it couldn’t get any worse. The European Commission has disclosed the existence of 3 investigations against corporation, with the promise of more soon. Microsoft have 2 months to say why they are the nice guys.Last week the US Federal Government Justice Department invoked the civil antitrust provisions of the Expediting Act of 1903 [for the first time in 18 years] in an effort to by-pass the Court of Appeal and  fast track Microsoft straight up to a Supreme Court hearing of the appeal. The Justice Department considered that “the stakes in this case for the national economy are immense. If the case does not qualify for direct review under the Expediting Act it is difficult to imagine what future case would.“Now this week, the European Commission has launched its own anti-trust case, with its lodging of its Statement of Objections. This is the first formal step into proceedings. Under EU procedure, Microsoft have 2 months to respond in writing. There may additionally be an oral hearing The Commission then makes a decision that can only be appealed to the European Court of Justice.On lodging the Statement of Objections the Commission disclosed the existence of at least three investigations, though it was intimated that further investigations will be revealed and more investigations initiated.The Commission is concerned that Microsoft has unlawfully extended its dominance in PC operating systems into server operating systems. The allegations include:- that Microsoft monopolised PC operating systems and forced browser systems to accommodate for windows to such an extent as to be totally dependent on Microsoft- that Microsoft discriminated in its distribution and licensing of windows code; making it harder for independent companies such as Sun Microsystems to ensure any degree of competitive viability;- that there is a price fixing cartel in France, whereby Canadian French Software was shielded from French consumers to ensure high pricesMario Monti, the Commissioner in charge, stated: “We will not tolerate the extension of existing dominance into adjacent markets through the leveraging of market power by anti-competitive means and under the pre-text of copyright protection.” With the Commission acting under EU law as in effect investigator, prosecutor, judge and jury, Microsoft now find themselves in a transatlantic cross-fire. The fuses have been lit.