China bans Microsoft from selling operating systems

[Doctor Cynic]

Source: Telegraph

The US software giant must not sell versions of Windows XP, 2003, 2000 or 98 software in the Asian super-economy after a Beijing court ruled the products include Chinese fonts designed by a local company.

The court said Microsoft had violated its licensing agreement with Zhongyi Electronic, which designs character fonts.

Microsoft said it plans to appeal the ruling, adding it "respects intellectual property rights" and uses the intellectual property of third parties "only when we have a legitimate right to do so".

Zhongyi said that the agreement it signed with Microsoft allowed it to use the special fonts only in Windows 95, but that the software giant had continued to do so in subsequent versions. "By winning this case against an internationally well-known company like Microsoft, it shows that China, although still a developing country, is taking positive steps to protect intellectual property rights," said Ling Xin Yu, Zhongyi's lawyer.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/6599843/China-bans-Microsoft-from-selling-operating-systems.html

[Codeine]

1. And if anyone knows about theft of IP it's China. nt

[mike_c]

4. seriously-- the irony of this is staggering....

I don't mean to excuse Microsoft's actions at all, but the pot clearly has issues with the kettle's color! :rofl:

[sudopod]

2. I see someone was diligent in their prayers to the Irony gods.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. Sounds like a plot between Microsoft and China to...

...move un-purchased Vista OS's off the shelves. ;)

[BobTheSubgenius]

5. Are they KIDDING!?!!!??

Software piracy is a govt. program there.

[Vidar]

6. The war of the pirates.