Print

Mail

wiki links

Controversy meets Microsoft visit

"In our investigation into Microsoft's trading practices, we will be considering only what is in the public interest. No vague `investment promise' from Microsoft is going to influence this commission's decision."

Chen Chi-yuan, vice chairman of the Fair Trade Commission

Microsoft Group Vice President Orlando Ayala's scheduled one-day visit to Taiwan tomorrow has nothing to do with the current Fair Trade Commission's probe into unfair trading practices against Microsoft, company spokesperson Zoe Cherng (程文燕) told the Taipei Times yesterday.

Cherng dismissed concerns from legislators that Ayala's visit was aimed at improving Micro-soft's relations with the Taiwan government, with the hope of positively influencing the Fair Trade Commission's final ruling against Microsoft.

The commission started its probe in May this year after complaints from Taiwan companies and consumer groups that Microsoft had been engaged in unfair marketing schemes to force customers to stick to its software products.

The investigation was first focused on the allegation that Microsoft had been forcing customers to buy accompanying products when purchasing certain items from the company. The commission has also sought to investigate whether Microsoft has abused its monopoly power on the market to inflate prices in Taiwan.

But Cherng stressed that Ayala's meeting with Premier Yu Shyi-kun was irrelevant to helping the commission to reach an administrative settlement in favor of Microsoft.

Instead, the meeting was intended to discuss proposals from Microsoft to help with the development of Taiwan's software industry. The details of these proposals will be disclosed at a press conference to be held tomorrow, she said.

Commission Vice Chairman Chen Chi-yuan (陳紀元) told the Taipei Times yesterday that Ayala will not be meeting with him during the Microsoft executive's time in Taiwan.

"His [Ayala's] visit has nothing to do with us ... In our investigation into Microsoft's trading practices, we will be considering only what is in the public interest. No vague `investment promise' from Microsoft is going to influence this commission's decision," Chen said.

Chen later added that if the commission received a detailed investment plan from Microsoft that was in the public interest, this would perhaps help them reach a decision favorable to the international software giant.

Following government incentives, Microsoft has stepped up investments to Taiwan and assisted local companies wishing to accelerate the development of software products since the turn of the year. The company also sent a technical team to help local software houses develop new products for Microsoft.

Microsoft and the Ministry of Economic Affairs also reached a consensus at the end of last month for Microsoft to open a research and development center in Taiwan. The two sides are still in negotiations to refine and finalize the deal.
This story has been viewed 2489 times.