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    Korea
     Dec 13, 2005
Microsoft sued over flaw

SEOUL - A South Korean lawyer on Monday sued Microsoft Corp, the world's largest software maker, for allegedly hiding a software flaw.

Jang Young-ha, 47, filed the lawsuit against Microsoft with the Suwon District Court on charges of deception, accusing the US software giant of selling the flawed program for use in handheld electronic devices.

In June, Jang bought Microsoft's Windows Small Business Server program and two servers for a total of 6 million won (US$5,802),



according to the court statement.

When Jang downloaded personal data such as customers' birthdays and his schedules from the servers to his personal digital assistant, he found that the downloaded dates were always one day ahead of the original ones.

Jang informed a technician at Microsoft's Korean unit about the flaw, but the technician responded that the company won't be able to fix it because it stemmed from a fundamental error, not a bug.

"Microsoft sold flawed software without notifying customers even though it knew previously," Jang said. "Instead, I was damaged by loss of my personal data and costs. It should definitely be responsible for the deception."

Microsoft's Korean unit spokesman, Kwon Chan, didn't answer calls on Monday afternoon seeking comments.

If prosecutors find Microsoft guilty, it will be a second embarrassment for the US software giant in South Korea.

On December 7, the nation's antitrust regulator ordered Microsoft to pay 33 billion won ($32 million) in fines for violating fair trade rules. Microsoft said it will appeal the decision.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) also ordered Microsoft to separate its MSN instant messenger and Media Server programs from its near-ubiquitous personal computer operating system Windows.

The "corrective measure" will be in effect over the next 10 years, the commission said in a statement. The FTC will monitor Microsoft to see whether the company implements the order to separate the bundled programs from Windows.

The commission initially ordered Microsoft to split the Media Server software from Windows within 180 days.

(Asia Pulse/Yonhap)

 

 
 



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