South Korean anti-trust watchdog delays ruling on Microsoft

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2005

SEOUL (AFP) — South Korea's anti-trust watchdog delayed its ruling on US software giant Microsoft, accused of abusing its market dominance and violating fair trade rules.

Microsoft had a chance to explain its position at a hearing chaired by Fair Trade Commission (FTC) chief Kang Chul-Kyu.

Kang agreed to hold another hearing before making his verdict, FTC officials said, adding the watchdog would set a date for its next meeting later.

The watchdog launched a probe last year following complaints by RealNetworks, a US firm marketing the "RealPlayer" audio-visual software, and South Korean Internet portal Daum Communications.

RealNetworks accused Microsoft and its South Korean unit of unfairly bundling the "Media Player" and the "Media Server" programs...