Microsoft Corp., the world"s largest software maker, threatened to pull its Windows operating system from South Korea if antitrust regulators order the company to remove programming for instant message and movie player services.
The comments come as Korea"s Fair Trade Commission prepares to rule whether Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft"s inclusion of its Media Player and MSN Messenger programs into Windows unfairly makes it difficult for rivals to compete. A ruling is due by this year, according to the antitrust watchdog.
If regulators order "Microsoft to remove code or redesign Windows uniquely for the Korean market, it might be necessary to withdraw Windows from the Korean market or delay offering new versions,"" Microsoft said in its earnings report yesterday.