SAO PAULO, Brazil, June 5, 2004 – LAWFUEL – The Brazilian
government has cleared Microsoft under the accusation of preventing
competition in the software sector. The Economic Defense Administration Board
(CADE), the Brazilian organ tied to the Justice Ministry and responsible for
ruling on questions regarding market competition, will publish the decision in
the following days in the official press. The decision can be reached over the
Internet, at: http://www.cade.gov.br/julgados/microsoft/acor001182-1998.pdf.
Microsoft, which trades the personal finance software Money, was accused
by the Brazilian software house Paiva Piovesan of impeding the competitiveness
of the Finance program, produced in this country. The CADE councilors took the
decision unanimously in favor of Microsoft on 19th May, based on the opinion
of the case reporter, who recommended the filing of the process. The case
opened in 1998. The councilors ruled definitively only on 19th of last month.
“It is Microsoft’s priority to conduct its business in a respectful manner
and in agreement with the laws and regulations of the countries it operates
in. We have acted responsibly while seeking to build the best products and
services we can to meet the needs of our customers”, declared Rinaldo
Zangirolami, Senior Attorney of Microsoft Brazil. “We have collaborated over
the past six years with the Brazilian authorities and we are very pleased with
the outcome of the case.”
Microsoft is committed to conducting its business strategy with
transparency around the world. With this commitment, the company has worked
with regulators in America, Europe and Asia to address questions and to ensure
its business practices are in full compliance with all laws and regulations.
In every case, Microsoft works closely to the justice and acts responsibly,
listening to authorities, customers and partners.
“We are committed to Brazil and our customers, building a more
constructive relationship with the government of Brazil and other South
American governments”, said Luiz Sette, Senior Attorney for Microsoft Latin
America. “We are pleased the Brazilian government has cleared us of these
allegations and we look forward to our continued efforts to address shared
concerns that impact Brazil and South America.”