Microsoft's Korean offices raided
 

Fair Trade Commission looking into instant messaging

By Michael Paige, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 7:47 PM ET Jun 11, 2004

LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) - Microsoft on Friday confirmed Korean Fair Trade Commission officials visited the company's South Korean offices to collect information.

The Korean officials collected information from the software giant's (MSFT) offices on Thursday and are currently investigating the bundling of Microsoft's instant messaging software with its Windows operating system.

"Microsoft has been and will continue to cooperate fully with the KFTC as it carries out its inquiry," the company said in a statement.

"Microsoft is committed to full compliance with the laws and regulations in Korea and every other jurisdiction in which it operates."

The company said it wouldn't comment further or provide additional information on the matter "in deference to the confidential nature of this investigation."

On Tuesday, Microsoft it filed an appeal of the landmark European Commission's antitrust decision against it handed out in March. See full story.

Under that decision, the executive arm of the European Union hit Microsoft with a record fine of more than $600 million and ordered sanctions designed to end what the organization described as its "near monopoly." See archived story.

Microsoft claimed in its European appeal that the EU's decision undermines innovation and stifles growth.

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