Microsoft Corp. said Friday it has reached a $30 million settlement with a South Korean Internet portal that had accused it of unfair trade practices.
Daum Communications Corp. filed a complaint with South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission in 2001 alleging that Microsoft violated trade rules by tying its instant messenger software to its Windows operating system. Daum Communications also confirmed a settlement had been reached.
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The settlement comes as South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission is expected to announce at any time the results of its investigation into antitrust allegations filed against Microsoft by Daum and Seattle-based RealNetworks Inc.
RealNetworks withdrew that complaint last month after a $761 million settlement with Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft that ended all their antitrust disputes worldwide.
The Fair Trade Commission said previously it would continue its investigation despite any settlements, and it was not immediately clear what effect Friday’s announcement would have on the matter.