TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Microsoft Says Windows to be Pulled in South Korea

Microsoft Says Windows to be Pulled in South Korea

Associated Press News Wire (ap@telecom-digest.org)
Fri, 28 Oct 2005 10:58:34 -0500

Microsoft Corp. on Thursday said that an investigation by Korea's
antitrust watchdog could lead to the withdrawal of Windows from the
country, or to delays in introducing new versions of the operating
system there.

Microsoft's competitive practices have been under investigation by the
Korean Fair Trade Commission, which is looking into the company's
inclusion into Windows of streaming media and instant messenger
technology.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant has faced legal and regulatory
antitrust actions worldwide because of its decisions to include
various services in its operating system.

Earlier this month, Microsoft agreed to settle an antitrust lawsuit
with RealNetworks Inc. by paying up to $761 million in cash and
services.

The Korean Fair Trade Commission said at the time that the
RealNetworks settlement wouldn't have any effect on its investigation
into Microsoft.

Seattle-based RealNetworks was among the companies that had filed
complaints against Microsoft in Korea.

In its quarterly report filed Thursday with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, Microsoft said the Korean commission could
require the company to remove code or redesign Windows uniquely for
the Korean market.

If that happened, "it might be necessary to withdraw Windows from the
Korean market or delay offering new versions in Korea," the company
said in the filing.

In morning trading Friday, Microsoft shares gained 49 cents, or 2
percent, to $25.34 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press.

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