Microsoft Threatens South Korea

Rob Updegrove 28 Oct, 2005 at 8:21am ET Article published in Tech

Reuters reports that Microsoft has threatened to remove its Windows operating system from the market in South Korea if the country’s antitrust agency orders removal of the messaging software and Media Player from the mix.

South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has been investigating allegations that the world’s top software maker breached antitrust laws by incorporating the services into Windows.

“If the KFTC enters an order requiring Microsoft to remove code or redesign Windows uniquely for the Korean market, it might be necessary to withdraw Windows from the Korean market or delay offering new versions in Korea,” Microsoft said in a U.S. regulatory filing on Thursday.

Source: Reuters

Comments

28 Oct 2005 ~ 8:32am Enverex I'm all for Messenger and Media player being removed, they both piss me off and I don't want either of them because I want to use something better (of my choice thanks) without those things trying to worm their way over the top all the time.

Sure, remove Windows from sale there and watch the piracy traffic increase 500 fold.
28 Oct 2005 ~ 9:22am CB You gonna move to Korea, then?
28 Oct 2005 ~ 10:44am Enverex Erm... no. Where did that question come from?
28 Oct 2005 ~ 11:19am Leonardo I'm sure 'alternative' Windows CDs would flood in from China, Taiwain, and other parts of Asia. Microsoft's threat is hollow. It's estimated 90% of software in China is pirated.
28 Oct 2005 ~ 5:02pm Jengo HA!

Microsoft, you guys are idiots, i hope SK doesnt give in to your retarded demands.

If it DOES happen, watch linux usage SOAR in SK!!!

haha
28 Oct 2005 ~ 8:11pm Leonardo

If it DOES happen, watch linux usage SOAR in SK!!!

Now I think we are perhaps blowing as much smoke as Microsoft!
29 Oct 2005 ~ 12:12am Camman

Leonardo wrote:

Now I think we are perhaps blowing as much smoke as Microsoft!

This is true. Linux will not raise in popularity if this happens, but I'm sure as others have said, pirated software will just be commonplace there. I say props to Microsoft and it's too bad they didn't do this in Europe when the EU was screwing with them over Media Player being pre-installed with XP. Whoever said "well I like to choose my own media player, thanks" is foolish. Just like any piece of software, it being pre-installed doesn't mean you're going to use it, just like any game or any other piece of software you can install your own media players after you receive the OS, I honestly don't see the big deal about having them pre-install their own software, it's ridiculous.
29 Oct 2005 ~ 12:42am Linc It's interesting; I've noticed a few headlines over the last months that pretty much address companies as if they were states. Substitute a country for "Microsoft" in that headline and it still makes sense.

Maybe "Snow Crash" by Neil Stephenson isn't as unlikely as I thought it was (In that book, countries like the US only nominally exists; people live in "burbclaves" which are run by corporations.)
29 Oct 2005 ~ 11:41am Qeldroma When I first saw this, I thought Microsoft might be going to war with South Korea.

MS market capitalization might match SKs GNP?- I doubt it, but it's scary
29 Oct 2005 ~ 1:27pm Leonardo

Maybe "Snow Crash" by Neil Stephenson isn't as unlikely as I thought it was (In that book, countries like the US only nominally exists; people live in "burbclaves" which are run by corporations.)

Have you seen the original Rollerball with James Caan? In that science fiction movies, international warfare was gone, replaced by contests of the giant corporations in the arena of rollerball, a violent, warlike game. Excellent movie.
29 Oct 2005 ~ 3:55pm profdlp

Leonardo wrote:

...international warfare was gone, replaced by contests of the giant corporations in the arena of rollerball, a violent, warlike game...

Now more than ever: Team Short-Media
3 Nov 2005 ~ 4:10am bothered

Camman wrote:

Whoever said "well I like to choose my own media player, thanks" is foolish. Just like any piece of software, it being pre-installed doesn't mean you're going to use it, just like any game or any other piece of software you can install your own media players after you receive the OS, I honestly don't see the big deal about having them pre-install their own software, it's ridiculous.

What he said.