EU opens door to Gates, but remains firm on Windows

The European Commission has welcomed Microsoft boss Bill Gates for a "courtesy visit" but made it clear that a legal row between Brussels and the US software giant was not on the menu.

Gates, in Europe after last week's Davos meetings, was invited for talks on Tuesday with EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson, internal market chief Charlie McCreevy and industry commissioner Guenter Verheugen.

But EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes kept her door firmly shut, avoiding discussion of a ruling by her predecessor Mario Monti last year that the Seattle-based company enjoys monopolistic powers in the software market.

Along with a hefty fine, Microsoft was ordered to offer a European version of Windows without Media Player, which offers access to audio and video content, and offer server product information to rivals.

"Mr Gates has not requested to meet Mrs Kroes and Mrs Kroes is most certainly not going to request to see him," said Kroes' spokesman, Jonathan Todd.

Gates was relaxed about the talks, noting that he had already met EU commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso in the Swiss mountains last week.