Court rules in MS favor

Compensation claims filed by South Korean software companies Digito.com and Sanview Technology against Microsoft have been rejected by the Seoul District Court on Thursday, the AP reports. Digito sought the equivalent of $23.9 million in damages, while Sanview wanted nearly $8 million. The claims stated Microsoft negatively affected the companies' sales by bundling its instant messenger and Windows Media Services programs with its operating system, though the court denied them based on a lack of proof. It did however, recognize that Microsoft violated South Korea's fair trade rules.

After reviewing the matter, the court said Sanview Technology products were not price-competitive and lacked after-service and quality, while in Digito.com's case, it said there was not enough evidence to show Microsoft's actions caused the company to fail in the market. Sanview plans to appeal the decision.

Back in 2006, Microsoft was fined the equivalent of nearly $26 million by the Korean Fair Trade Commission for a similar practice of bundling software with its Windows operating system. It also had to offer two different versions of Windows, with one lacking Windows Media Player and Windows Messenger and the other posting links to websites that let consumers download competing versions of similar software.

By Electronista Staff