We study and characterize the integral multilinear operators on a product o
f C(K) spaces in terms of the representing polymeasure of the operator. Som
e applications are given. In particular, we characterize the Borel polymeas
ures that can be extended to a measure in the product sigma -algebra, gener
alizing previous results for bimeasures. We also give necessary conditions
for the weak compactness of the extension of an integral multilinear operat
or on a product of C(K) spaces. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science.