Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2000/08/11/ms_and_antitrust_now_its/

MS and anti-trust: now it's India's turn

Or not, as the case may be

By Drew Cullen

Posted in Software, 11th August 2000 12:39 GMT

Update India has joined in the Microsoft anti-trust trialfest, with the country's regulator accusing the software giant of unfair trade practices.

At issue appears to be Microsoft's habit of concluding licence agreements through the American parent company, rather than through its Indian subsidiary.

Confused? So are we - that seems more like an objection on nationalist grounds rather than on unfair business terms.

But not as confused as the investigative unit of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission: earlier today it "recommended action against" the company. It did not tell the world exactly what this recommendation entails. Later today, the unit said it had withdrawn its statement, according to TechWeb. In between times, Microsoft India denied the accusation (of unfair practices)

Microsoft now faces the attention of anti-trust regulators (if not the courts) in three continents - only South America, Africa, Australia/Oceania and Antartica to go. And yes, we've had dozens of readers forecasting Antartica as the next anti-trust hot spot. With all those penguins there, how could it be otherwise? ®

See also

Bloomberg: India Accuses Microsoft of Unfair Trade Practices