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Korea¡¯s anti-trust regulator Wednesday imposed a fine of roughly 33 billion won ($31.9 million) on Microsoft, the world¡¯s biggest software maker, for its violation of the nation¡¯s fair trade rule.
and its a serious fine and ruling...
Technically speaking, the FTC required us to redesign Windows specific for the Korean market, the request we cannot afford to take. We will make an appeal,¡¯¡¯ he added.
how this relates (if it does at all) to MS's threats to "pull out of Korea [webmasterworld.com]" is something to watch.
interestingly, I noticed a new article recently (gotta find it) about a couple major banks being the first in Korea to make a switch over to linux. And even talked about the reliance of most banks on activeX for online banking systems and windows servers. This is the first significant move (or indication) towards I've seen in Korea for a chance at FF or non-IE browsers to have a chance. granted, its a very small step the great pool of the Korean internet, but I've stated that online bank (and cyworld) werre two major factors which would inevitably kill any FF efforts here, so again, we'll have to see. :)
article [times.hankooki.com]
So is this a slap on the wrist for Microsoft?
for MS yes..I'd think so. Might not be for MS Korea, esp. with the Daum settlement. really don't know. but it probably is a drop in their bucket as well. The issue of concern seems to be how much it will actually cost dealing with changes the ruling forces them to take.
but in any case, they are appealing it in which is cause another how many months/yrs of it not meaning anything anyway. I don't imagine that will help change any minds... but it might let MS do whatever it is they do to get around things. heh.
MS is more deeply entrenched in the Korean market than most. Is the Linux movement in Korea noticeable at all?
I've seen a few major conglomerate subsidiariary saying they are switchign over. there is a key government official who is a big Linux advocate (this could be very important if he sticks around). and that bank I mentioned is making the switch (online banking is very entrenched with activeX here).
so some steps. though these would have little effect on the daytoday and intenet stuff in general. But Korea market tends to like brickwall in that you beat your head up against it for a LONG time first, but once the first big wall falls (like get a deal with a big conglomerate) then the rest can follow fairly quickly.
that's oversimplying of course, but the point is...if linux keeps up until one day a big guy comes through..then they CAN make some big strides fairly quickly. but that first wall is tall and thick.
Its somewhat an emotional market as well...so if you "catch the spirit" the whole country moves as one and things happen VERY VERY fast with incredible results -- sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.
