Microsoft Settles Korean Antitrust Case

Channy writes Microsoft announced on last Friday that it had reached a settlement with South Korean Internet portal Daum in antitrust case of IM bundling. Daum had complained to the South Korean Fair Trade Commission in 2001, accusing Microsoft of breaking the law by tying its instant messaging software to Windows. A lawsuit on the same grounds was filed in 2004. By the settlement, Microsoft will pay Daum $30 million, including $10 million in cash. In return, Daum would drop its lawsuit. Before this decision, Microsoft has threatened to withdraw its Windows software from South Korea if the country's antitrust agency orders it to unbundle its instant-messaging and media player software from the operating system. Despite this settlement, KFTC announced plans to continue investigation of this case and conclude the final decision within this year."

Comments

Re:Where's the 20M$

[interstellar_donkey]

The remaning $20 million will be paid out in "Microsoft Fun Bucks", little blue and green notes with pictures of smiling MS execs on them. These can be used to purcahse certian Microsoft products, food at the MS headquarters cafeteria and items at the MS giftshop.

At current rates, $20 million in MS fun bucks can purchase 4 force feedback joysticks, a copy of 'Age of Empries, 10 Microsoft branded tote bags and a dozen MS ballpoint pens. With enough left over for a cheese and mushroom omlet at the cafeteria.

Re:is it profitable?

[Skye16]

...except for all the korean gamers, who would probably explode.

Re:This should drive China to Linux

[jurt1235]

(and they will rename it to Leenux)

Correction there: They will rename it to Chinux (-:

Re:This should drive China to Linux

[FlameSnyper]

Dammit! I left my webcam on again, didn't I? :-)

New Solution to compliment MSFT's decision

[OneSeventeen]

Microsoft Gives Daum $30Million, South Korea switches to Ubuntu. $30Mil would buy what, 60,000 computers that could run Ubuntu smoothly? (monitor included) And they could choose whether or not to install an instant messenger application!

A Skit:

• MSFT: Here, have an OS with all sorts of non-OS software packaged in.
• Daum: But we don't want non-OS software, it's against our laws to force us.
• MSFT: Freedom is overrated, too bad.
• Daum: /me files lawsuit.
• MSFT /me plays a violin.
• Linspire: Here is a free OS I'd be willing to sell for cheap, and it looks like Windows but doesn't violate any of your laws.
• S.Korea: Hmmmm.....
• MSFT: $30Million ($10 in cash... for some reason)
• Daum: *shrug* Okay.
• Lawsuit: /leave

Re:is it profitable?

[cbiltcliffe]

"world damination project".

I know that's a typo. The question is, did you mean "world domination project", or "world damnation project"? :)

Re:is it profitable?

[schon]

I know that's a typo. The question is, did you mean "world domination project", or "world damnation project"?

This is MS - is there a difference? :o)