Microsoft's overwhelming dominance and its abuse of that dominance reaches into every corner of Europe and harms virtually every business and consumer who uses a computer Computer and Communications Industry Association

The computer giant is being challenged by a coalition of major software and electronics firms through the Washington based Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA).

It has filed a 260 page report to the EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti complaining about Microsoft's anti-competitive tactics.

Mr Monti and his staff are already considering a complaint that Microsoft committed illegal practices with older versions of its software.

That investigation has been going on for three years and a decision is expected in the next few months.

'Old arguments'

The CCIA counts Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Yahoo and Nokia among its members.

The organisation said it had filed the new complaint in order to fight for customers.

"Microsoft's overwhelming dominance and its abuse of that dominance reaches into every corner of Europe and harms virtually every business and consumer who uses a computer," the association said.

But Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler described the complaint as "old arguments and allegations rehashed by a group that is cynically trying to influence the process".