Mario Monti, the European competition commissioner, shows commendable nerve. The preliminary decision of the European Commission that Microsoft abused its dominant position in the personal computer market could lead to another court hearing on his approach to competition law.

Given the series of defeats Mr Monti suffered in 2002 in the European courts, a more timid individual might hesitate to take on Microsoft. But his willingness to go further than US competition authorities in questioning the software group's approach is in the interests of consumers. It would be wrong to back down for fear of another judicial embarrassment.