Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has ordered Microsoft to decouple its instant messaging and media player software from Windows and pay a $32m fine following a long-running investigation into the software giant.

Microsoft said it would appeal the decision, but doesn’t appear keen to follow through on earlier threats to pull its Windows software from the Korean market altogether.

It insisted competition in IM and media players in Korea was “vibrant” and said the Korean FTC’s decision would have a “chilling” effect on innovation.

So, presumably, Korea’s indigenous software industry should be thankful for Microsoft’s decision to stick up for them by appealing against the FTC decision.

In the meantime, it shouldn’t be too difficult for Microsoft to meet the demands of the Korean FTC. Afterall, this is pretty much the same course of action forced on the company by that other guardian of competition (or is that chiller of innovation), the European Union. So far, Microsoft has decided to abide by the European decision, while continuing to appeal.®

Related stories

• Microsoft loses South Korea appeal (23 May 2006)
• EC grants MS fine delay (24 January 2006)
• Microsoft seeks allies in EU antitrust fight (14 November 2005)
• Microsoft warns that Korea may have to do without Windows (28 October 2005)
• New software lobby group to target EU politicians (20 October 2005)
• Online gamers targeted in Korean MSN hack attack (6 June 2005)
• MS opens South Korea phone R&D lab (9 March 2005)