So far, the EU has fined Microsoft €1.68 billion in 3 separate fines in this case.

While US$617 million may seem like a steep levy, the EU could have fined Microsoft up to 10% of its annual revenues, which would have put the figure up around US$3 billion.

Another high-profile case against Microsoft, resulted in the Commission fining Microsoft over €777 million following nine years of legal action.

The commission had already fined Microsoft more than $600 million at the time of the 2004 ruling, and more than $350 million in July 2006 for failing to comply with a requirement that it license network communications technology.

On 12 July 2006, the EU fined Microsoft for an additional €280.5 million (US$448.58 million), €1.5 million (US$2.39 million) per day from 16 December 2005 to 20 June 2006.

As a result, in March 2013 the European Commission fined Microsoft €561 million to deter companies from reneging on settlement promises.

Mr. Monti, who blocked the merger of General Electric and Honeywell in 2001 and fined Microsoft $603 million, has been a tough and apolitical presence on Europe's governing body.

In March 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft €497 million (US$603 million) and ordered the company to provide a version of Windows without Windows Media Player.

And it fined Microsoft 497 million euros ($603 million), its largest fine ever.

It also fined Microsoft $603 million.