Microsoft fined 9 mln euros in Germany for colluding with retailers

BERLIN. April 8. KAZINFORM German's main competition watchdog, the Federal Cartel Office, on Wednesday fined U.S. company Microsoft 9 million euros (about 11.9 million U.S. dollars) for colluding with retailers to set the price of "Office Home and Student 2007", Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

The watchdog said suppliers are allowed to talk to retailers about prices in Germany but need to be careful not to break competition rules. In this case, Microsoft staff and a leading German stationer met at least twice to set prices, which has "crossed the boundary," said the watchdog. The two also worked together on an advertising campaign in autumn 2008, financed by Microsoft; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See full story at www.chinaview.cn