Korean regulators search Microsoft offices

Antitrust investigators continue probe into whether Windows holds–and abuses–an illegal monopoly position. Korean trade regulators on Thursday searched the offices of Microsoft’s Korean subsidiary as part of a years-long probe into the company’s business practices.

The Korean Fair Trade Commission has been investigating whether Microsoft violated antitrust laws by tying its messaging software into its dominant Windows operating system, according to a source familiar with the inquiry. In 2001, Korean messaging rival Daum Communications sparked the investigation by complaining that Microsoft was using its monopoly position to freeze out competitors.