Tigers to spring on 'anti-competitive' Microsoft?

Organisations in Taiwan and China seem to be tensing their muscles to spring onto Microsoft and go for the software giant's throat -- metaphorically of course.

The China Post reported on Saturday that a consumer group in Taiwan had filed a complaint with the Taiwanese Fair Trade Commission (TFTC) against Microsoft, for pulling Windows XP in favour of Vista, causing the TFTC to launch a probe.

"Chou Ya-shu, an FTC commissioner, told CNA that the commission is now investigating to see whether Microsoft's promotion of Vista is a case of unfair market practice," said the China Post. "If the case is upheld, Microsoft could be given a maximum fine of NT$25 million, said Chou."

It will be interesting to see the legal arguments employed by both sides.

Meanwhile, a Chinese company is also preparing to launch an antitrust offensive against Microsoft. Marketwatch is reporting that Evermore Software, a small company which plans sell an Office competitor at a fraction of the cost, is gathering evidence of alleged Microsoft anti-competitive practices in China.