The European Telecommunications Standards Institute is in the dock following a bitter complaint to the European Commission from the US Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association, Reuter reports from Brussels. The US trade lobby is charging the European standards body with violation of Community competition rules, saying that its members face expulsion from the Telecommunications Institute because they are not prepared to bow to a demand that members should license under specified conditions all existing and future technology that could be used in ETSI standards – which are sometimes made compulsory under Community law. ETSI plans to expel any members who refuse to sign this blank cheque, it said. Not only will companies no longer be able to contribute to European telecommunications standards development, but their access to the European market will be jeopardised, Cbema said. The complaint is being filed under Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty of Rome, which cover restrictive trade practices and abuse of a dominant position.
