Microsoft Threatens To Withdraw Windows in S.Korea

RocketJeff writes "South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has been investigating Microsoft since 2001 for violations of South Korea's antitrust rules. According to a Reuters article, part of a recent Microsoft regulatory filing states 'it might be necessary to withdraw Windows from the Korean market or delay offering new versions in Korea.' Basically, Microsoft is threatening to take their marbles and go home if they don't get the ruling they want."

Nothing to see here

[jaymzter]

This is common language in such filings to let investors know of worst case scenarios. For reference, see such filings by SCO on Groklaw.
So no, it's not a threat or a conspiracy

Re:Good strategy

[Fiver-]

Why would it come to that? Nothing about this would invalidate existing installations of Windows.

Re:Their software

[BushCheney08]

But what's to stop S.Korea from buying copies from their neighbors, or heck, legalize flat out piracy of it.

A little thing called the Berne Convention [wikipedia.org].

KEKEKE

[BJH]

Yeah right. You know how rampant piracy is there? I wouldn't be surprised to find that MS sells more copies of Windows in North Korea than they do in South Korea.

Re:Korean Strategy: All Microsoft IP declared Publ

[Landaras]

Korea declares all Microsoft IP, Software and Copywrites to be in the Korean Public Domain.

Diclaimer: IANAL, but I am a law student.

As much as that (semi-humorous) thought would warm my heart, South Korea is a member of the World Trade Organization [wto.org], which requires signing the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ("TRIPs") [wikipedia.org], which incorporates the Berne Convention [wikipedia.org] by reference.

What does this mean? It means that South Korea is obligated to recognize foreign copyrights, and stripping that protection for (arguably valid) nationalist reasons would almost certainly be in violation of international law. I haven't had a chance to fully and formally study the documents in question, but I would be shocked if there would be no recourse by the WTO.

- Neil Wehneman

P.S. Berne is a major impediment to full and free reform of copyright on a national level, as it mandates signatory countries to grant at least a copyright term of life of the author plus fifty years.

Re:Their software

[BushCheney08]

Funny, the Republic of Korea is listed on the page I'm getting...

Re:Good strategy

[wgaryhas]

So, you are trying to disprove the grandparent's point using a data from 1996 to disprove data from 2002? I don't think it works that way.

Re:Good strategy

[jfelix1010]

Old-fashioned of you...going back how far? Anti-monopoly laws have only been in effect a relatively short time.

In the US, the Sherman Antitrust Act was passed in 1890. Unless you're talking plate tectonics, I wouldn't call 115 years a "realtively short time".