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Microsoft Pays Off Daum, Korea Still Probing
By David Utter
Expert Author
Article Date: 2005-11-11
A $30 million settlement will see Lycos-purchaser Daum Communications of South Korea resolves antitrust accusations, but won't stop Seoul investigators from checking claims of improper business tactics.
Microsoft will pay $10 million in cash to Daum as part of the settlement terms. Another $10 million will come in the form of advertising deals. The last $10 million would be delivered via what Cnet called "unspecified business terms."
"The agreement resolves the companies' antitrust dispute in South Korea," Microsoft and Daum said in a joint statement. That won't stop the Korean Fair Trade Commission from moving forward with its probe, a Microsoft manager told Cnet.
Daum's acceptance of the settlement puts about four years of antitrust accusations behind Microsoft. In 2001, Daum accused Microsoft of violating antitrust rules by bundling its instant messenger and media player applications with Windows.
Microsoft had said earlier in the week that an adverse finding against it could see it pull Windows from the Korean market entirely. The Korean information ministry criticized Microsoft for that stance, saying it should "take responsibility" for its business.
About the Author:
David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.
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