Microsoft’s Budapest office visited by antitrust authorities
Microsoft Corp. confirmed Thursday that its offices in Budapest, Hungary were visited by representatives of the country’s Competition Office, who had become concerned about the software giant’s promotional tactics.
“Microsoft can confirm that its offices in Hungary were visited by the Hungarian Competition Authority on Thursday 19 July. We are cooperating fully with the Hungarian Competition Authority," Microsoft spokesman Guy Esnouf said in an emailed statement.
According to media reports, the visit was prompted by a complaint from local Microsoft Hungary rival Open SKM Agency, an affiliate of Sun Microsystems Inc. Open SKM Agency complained to the Competition Office that Hungarian software distributors were refusing to sell Sun's StarOffice software, a rival to Microsoft's Office products, reports said. Open SKM Agency distributes the Hungarian version of StarOffice. The Competition Office wanted to learn more about loyalty rewards offered by Microsoft that allegedly dissuade local customers from buying competing software, reports said. (marketwatch.com)
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