Russia ends Microsoft antitrust probe

InternetNews | at | by Mike

Russia's state anti-monopoly service, FAS, said on Monday it had closed a probe into Microsoft as it had found no violations of antitrust laws over cutbacks in supply of the Windows XP operating system.

The FAS launched a probe against Microsoft in June, saying it thought the company had violated legislation by cutting delivery of Windows XP to Russia both as a separate system and pre-installed on personal computers, as well as in its pricing policy on the product.

The bulk of Microsoft's revenue comes from corporate customers, who make payments on long-term licensing contracts allowing them to upgrade to the newest versions of its software.