Microsoft Intends to Fight Back Against Ruling
Microsoft has announced that it intends to appeal the $32 million dollar anti-trust ruling brought against the company by the Korean FTC:
We intend to appeal this decision because it is inconsistent with Korean law, it said in a statement. Nevertheless, we will continue developing products for Korean consumers in a way that complies with all laws and is pro-competitive We remain committed to Korea.
The case was brought after complaints from South Korean Internet portal firm Daum Communications Corp alleging unfair business practices, as well as RealNetworks Inc, and continued despite Microsoft settling with both companies.
The US DoJ criticized this approach to antitrust regulation: Sound antitrust policy should protect competition, not competitors, and must avoid chilling innovation and competition even by ‘dominant’ companies, McDonald said.
Microsoft announced a $761m settlement with RealNetworks in October when the media player specialist agreed to withdraw complaints in the US, Europe, and South Korea, while a $30m settlement with Daum was reached in November.
I tend to agree with Microsoft on this one because their Windows allows competing players to play on it. I don’t see how you tell a company that they can’t package a product with an existing product. It makes me wonder if nationalism is more involved in this ruling then actual business.
