The original Microsoft ruling was made months before Neelie Kroes took over as European Union competition commissioner. But she has since made the decision very much her own – not least by imposing a big fine on Microsoft last year for failing to comply. Few doubt that she will be taking an even harder line with the company from now on.

The biggest ruling in Bo Vesterdorf’s distinguished career as one of the European Union’s most senior judges was also his last. A few hours after delivering the Microsoft ruling, he retired as president of the European Court of First Instance. He is widely credited with establishing the EU’s second-highest court as a check on the Commission’s powers.