China Gives Microsoft 20 Days To Clarify Queries In Anti-trust Probe

(RTTNews) - A special Chinese investigation team questioned Microsoft's (MSFT) Vice President David Chen and other staff members on the company's alleged monopoly activities in China, and asked the company to give a written explanation within 20 days.

The state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the team led by the State Administration for Industry & Commerce or SAIC asked Microsoft to provide general information about the company and defend itself against the monopoly charges within the deadline.

In June 2013, the SAIC investigated complaints from enterprises that Microsoft used tie-in sales and verification codes in its Windows operating system and Microsoft Office software suite, practices that may have violated China's anti-monopoly law.

The SAIC said the company did not fully disclose information about its products, as required by law, causing software incompatibility issues.

Microsoft reportedly said that it strictly adhere to the relevant laws and rules in China and it has been actively cooperating with the SAIC's investigation.