Microsoft Germany hit with €9m price-fixing fine
Software giant acted illegally in dealings with German retailers
Microsoft Germany has been hit with a €9m (£8.1m) fine after being found guilty of illegal business practices.
The fine was imposed by the German competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt, following a ruling that Microsoft had illegally fixed prices with retailers for the Office Home and Student 2007 package.
"The product in question was heavily advertised in the autumn of 2008 in stationery retail outlets. Among others, a nationwide active retailer advertised the product with financial support from Microsoft," said the Bundeskartellamt in a statement.
"Even before the launch of the advertising campaign in mid-October 2008, employees of Microsoft and the retailer in question had agreed on at least two occasions on the resale price of Office Home and Student 2007."
It is not illegal for some contact to take place between the producer and retailer, but it is against German law for the seller to agree on future actions by the retailer.
Microsoft has accepted the fine and will pay it shortly.
Source : pcw.co.uk
Software giant acted illegally in dealings with German retailers
Microsoft Germany has been hit with a €9m (£8.1m) fine after being found guilty of illegal business practices.
The fine was imposed by the German competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt, following a ruling that Microsoft had illegally fixed prices with retailers for the Office Home and Student 2007 package.
"The product in question was heavily advertised in the autumn of 2008 in stationery retail outlets. Among others, a nationwide active retailer advertised the product with financial support from Microsoft," said the Bundeskartellamt in a statement.
"Even before the launch of the advertising campaign in mid-October 2008, employees of Microsoft and the retailer in question had agreed on at least two occasions on the resale price of Office Home and Student 2007."
It is not illegal for some contact to take place between the producer and retailer, but it is against German law for the seller to agree on future actions by the retailer.
Microsoft has accepted the fine and will pay it shortly.
Source : pcw.co.uk
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