New Windows released in Korea today

Having lost an anti-trust case earlier this year, Microsoft Corp. will release today specially revised versions of the Windows operating system in Korea. The company’s local arm said yesterday that two versions each of the Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional Edition will be provided to computer makers first. In February, the Fair Trade Commission fined the software giant 32.5 billion won ($33.9 million), saying it abused its dominant power in the market to “bundle” its own media player and instant messenger services in its operating system. It also ordered the company to offer two versions of the Windows platform: one with a range of messenger programs ― so that users can select whichever one they want ― and one with no messenger service at all. The Seoul High Court rejected an appeal early this month from Microsoft to suspend the ruling. Windows XP KN will have neither Microsoft’s messenger nor media player; Windows XP K will provide a Web page link where users can download competitors’ programs, some of which include locally-developed media player Gom Player and instant messaging program Nate On. Microsoft will provide the two versions to major local PC makers, who will conduct tests and begin selling computers with the revised Windows platform from around February. “We will also provide free CDs with our competitors’ software and provide updates for users who have existing Windows platforms,” a Microsoft Korea spokesman said. Microsoft has persistently argued that its actions did not violate anti-trust laws, because rivals’ messenger and media player services are available for free on the Internet and can be downloaded by anyone. Its rivals, however, say that if such programs are installed on a new computer that uses Windows, few people will bother to download alternatives. The plaintiffs in the case included U.S. RealNetworks, which filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft in Korea. by Kim Joon-sool, Wohn Dong-hee