But say there will be no
fine
A South Korean court ruled US software giant Microsoft breached
its fair competition rules but has chucked out claims from two companies
that it owes them money for its antics.
Digito.Com and Sanview Technology
filed suits demanding $40 million. They insisted Microsoft had caused them
financial damage by packaging its instant messenger programme and Windows
Media Service with the main operating system.
Seoul District Court said
that while Microsoft had violated anti-trust regulations by abusing its
market dominance it was not prepared to give the two companies any
cash. The plaintiffs lost market share either by lack of price
competitiveness or overseas business failure and could not prove that the
loss was linked to Microsoft. Microsoft welcomed the court's ruling that
its actions did not cause any damage to the plaintiffs.
However the
company has already paid a large fine to the South Korean Fair Trade
Commission for its anti-trust antics.