China in anti-monopoly probe of Microsoft: state media

AFP, June, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — China has begun an anti-monopoly investigation into US software giant Microsoft and lawsuits by local companies could follow, state media reported on Wednesday.

China's State Intellectual Property Office and some research institutions have targeted Microsoft and several other global software firms over suspected monopoly activities, the Shanghai Securities News said.

Firms will be organised to file lawsuits against the software giants after China's debut anti-monopoly law comes into effect on August 1, unnamed sources told the newspaper.

The probe by Chinese regulators focuses on operating systems and other software developed by international companies that cost much more in China than in the US, one source was quoted as saying.

"On the one hand, global software firms, taking advantage of their monopoly position, set unreasonably high prices for genuine software while on the other hand, they criticise Chinese for poor ...