Microsoft "off the hook" with Russian authorities

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 7 Sep 2009 at 17:25

Microsoft claims that Russia's state anti-monopoly service, FAS, has not found any violations of antitrust laws over cutbacks in supplies of Windows XP in the country.

The anti-monopoly service launched a probe against Microsoft in June, saying it thought the company had violated antimonopoly legislation by cutting delivery of Windows XP to Russia both as a separate system and pre-installed on personal computers, as well as in its pricing policy on the product.

Microsoft now claims the authorities have found nothing untoward. "Microsoft is committed to full compliance with the laws applicable in Russia as well as in all countries where we do business, the company said in a statement. "We are glad that FAS did not find any violation."

The FAS was not immediately available for comment.

Microsoft is fighting antitrust battles on several fronts. The company is currently waiting to hear if its plans to offer users a choice of browsers during the Windows 7 installation will be enough to appease EU competition authorities.