Hotmail
Hungary officials raid Microsoft office
Probing into company’s relationship with software distributors
Tech Holiday Gift Guide |
 Gifts for the nostalgic geek Perhaps the ultimate holiday gift for any technology geek is a vintage artifact plucked from the pages of computer history. |
Real Women’s Guide to Technology |
An MSN special that focuses on consumer technologies that can benefit women. |
 | Tech and gadgets videos |
 'The Saboteur' is stylish but not strong Christmas has come early if you like explosions, shooting Nazis, and femme fatales. Msnbc.com's Todd Kenreck give "The Saboteur" a 7 out of 10. |
 | Video |
 |
Auto Tech |
A better economy may lure buyers, but these trends could seal the deal. |
BUDAPEST, Hungary - Hungary's state Competition Authority raided the offices of Microsoft Corp.'s local subsidiary as part of a probe into the company's relationship with large software distributors.
The unannounced raid took place July 19 at the offices of Microsoft Magyarorszag Kft., according to a notice posted on the authority's Web site.
According to the statement, Microsoft used sales conditions and offered software distributors incentives — described as "loyalty discounts" — so they wouldn't offer clients anything but Microsoft Office products.
Such behavior could lead to the exclusion of competitive products from the market and violate European Union rules, according to the authority known as the GVH.
"During the raid, the GVH gathered evidence supporting these suspicions," the authority said, adding that the probe did not mean Microsoft had broken the law.
Microsoft spokesman Guy Esnouf said the software company was cooperating with Hungarian authorities.
(MSNBC.com is a Microsoft - NBC Universal joint venture.)
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS |
 Tech and gadgets Section Front |
| Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide