Microsoft yesterday called on the European Union's top antitrust regulator to step back from the threat of further financial penalties, in a last-ditch intervention ahead of a ruling against the US software giant that is expected next week.

A draft of the European Commission ruling is due to be presented to competition watchdogs from the 25 EU member states today. According to several people close to the case, it will find Microsoft guilty of violating antitrust rules by ignoring the Commission's landmark 2004 ruling against the group, which was accompanied by a record €497m ($635m) fine.