The South Korea Fair Trade Commission is requiring Microsoft to offer two versions of Windows in the country -- one without its Windows Media Player and MSN Messenger software, and another that includes links to Web sites where users can download comparable products offered by competitors. Also, Microsoft must provide existing Windows users with CDs that will enable them to replace Media Player and MSN Messenger, the agency ruled. The commission found that tying such products to Windows constitutes "abuse of a market-dominant position and unfair trade practices," said Fair Trade Commission Chairman Kang Chul-kyu.

"We are very disappointed at the commission's decision," said Tom Burt, vice president and deputy general counsel at Microsoft. The company plans to appeal the ruling, he added. However, Microsoft officials backed away from previous hints that the company might pull Windows from the Korean market.

Unless it gets a court order staying the required remedies, Microsoft has 180 days from the date it receives the ruling to make the changes, according to the Fair Trade Commission.

Briefly noted

Accenture Ltd. opened a technology services center in Riga, Latvia, earlier this month, with a view to increasing its business in Russia and other countries that use the Russian language for business purposes. Accenture's Riga operation currently employs 150 staffers, who are currently working almost entirely with clients in the Nordic countries.