Overseer picked to monitor Microsoft's EU antitrust compliance

Channel Register UK is reporting that, in a scheduled breakfast meeting this morning with EU Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was informed that Dr. Neil Barrett, an often-quoted security consultant, has been named to oversee Microsoft’s compliance with EU antitrust rulings :

The Commission ruled last year that Microsoft had abused its market position, ordering the company to open up its products and hitting with a €497m fine. The decision also provided for a trustee to oversee the company’s compliance with the ruling.

Dr Neil Barrett will be the trustee providing "technical advice to the Commission on issues relating to Microsoft’s compliance with the Commission’s 2004 Decision," Brussells said yesterday.

If the popular Ms. Kroes were looking for the perfect thorn in Microsoft’s side, she may have found it. In this 2001 story from Silicon.com, Dr. Barrett offers some pointed remarkes about Microsoft’s intent to control access to vital information. In fact, Dr. Barrett may have made a name for himself and his consultancy, International Risk Management, throughout Europe simply for this and many other pointed remarks. Hopefully Mr. Ballmer ordered something easy on the stomach for breakfast this morning. (Channel Register UK)