Brazilian Government Clears Microsoft in Competition Case
June 05, 2004 12:43:00 PM ET
Company has been cleared of allegations of anti-competitive behavior in the country's software segment. Microsoft has worked with transparency in the past 6 years to solve the case
SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Brazilian government has cleared Microsoft under the accusation of preventing competition in the software sector. The Economic Defense Administration Board (CADE), the Brazilian organ tied to the Justice Ministry and responsible for ruling on questions regarding market competition, will publish the decision in the following days in the official press. The decision can be reached over the Internet, at:
http://www.cade.gov.br/julgados/microso ... 2-1998.pdf.
Microsoft, which trades the personal finance software Money, was accused by the Brazilian software house Paiva Piovesan of impeding the competitiveness of the Finance program, produced in this country. The CADE councilors took the decision unanimously in favor of Microsoft on 19th May, based on the opinion of the case reporter, who recommended the filing of the process. The case opened in 1998. The councilors ruled definitively only on 19th of last month.
"It is Microsoft's priority to conduct its business in a respectful manner and in agreement with the laws and regulations of the countries it operates in. We have acted responsibly while seeking to build the best products and services we can to meet the needs of our customers", declared Rinaldo Zangirolami, Senior Attorney of Microsoft Brazil. "We have collaborated over the past six years with the Brazilian authorities and we are very pleased with the outcome of the case."
Microsoft is committed to conducting its business strategy with transparency around the world. With this commitment, the company has worked with regulators in America, Europe and Asia to address questions and to ensure its business practices are in full compliance with all laws and regulations. In every case, Microsoft works closely to the justice and acts responsibly, listening to authorities, customers and partners.
"We are committed to Brazil and our customers, building a more constructive relationship with the government of Brazil and other South American governments", said Luiz Sette, Senior Attorney for Microsoft Latin America. "We are pleased the Brazilian government has cleared us of these allegations and we look forward to our continued efforts to address shared concerns that impact Brazil and South America."
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Microsoft Brazil:
http://www.microsoft.com/brasil