Court refuses to ban a Microsoft product

Daum Communication, the largest Internet portal in Korea, lost its suit to bar Microsoft from selling messenger software in the Korean market. “Messenger” refers to a computer program with which users can chat and exchange files over the Internet in real time. Daum in October 2001 filed a suit arguing that Microsoft’s inclusion of messenger software in its Window XP operating system violates the fair trade law. In rejecting that argument, the court said that even if the practice may be considered unfair, “No current law allows companies to seek a ban on others selling their own products. Only monetary compensation is provided under Korean law.” A Daum official said the company was considering an appeal. “The damage caused to domestic messenger-service companies by Microsoft will not be compensated just by money,” the official said.