18 Korean firms vow to stop Windows XP release

SEOUL: South Korea's largest Internet portal Daum Communications and 17 other

software companies vowed on Thursday to take joint action against Microsoft's

planned release of Windows XP. Windows XP, the latest version of Microsoft's

flagship product, is scheduled for widespread retail release on October 25.

"We are expressing deep concerns about Microsoft's attempt to disrupt

the market by selling Windows XP bundled with a variety of application

software," the companies said in a joint statement. "We officially

demand it immediately stop such efforts." A Daum Communications spokeswoman

said it had not yet sent an official letter to Microsoft Korea, but was figuring

out what its next move should be.

Early this month, Daum filed a complaint against Microsoft over the US

software giant's planned release of its new operating system Windows XP. In the

complaint with the Korea Fair Trade Commission, Daum said Microsoft's bundling

of a variety of application software - including instant messaging, Internet

phone service and digital pictures - to Windows XP constitutes an unfair

business practice.

Daum, which controls 20 per cent of Korea's instant messaging market, had

also threatened to take the case to court to seek an injunction against the sale

of Windows XP in Korea. In the United States, Microsoft is facing calls for the

courts to block its upcoming Windows XP operating system because of competition

concerns.

Some Microsoft opponents say Windows XP should be stopped, arguing that by

including new applications, the company is continuing the same tactics that

sparked an antitrust suit against it by the US Justice Department and 18 states.

A US court is set to consider what sanctions should apply against Microsoft for

abusing its monopoly in PC operating systems.

(C) Reuters Limited 2001.