Firm in dispute with Japan

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Monday, July 26, 2004 | 9:24 a.m.

TOKYO -- Microsoft Corp. said today it will fight the Japanese trade watchdog's warning over alleged anti-monopoly law violations in licensing deals with manufacturers using the company's Windows software.

The Fair Trade Commission sent an official warning to Microsoft on July 13, demanding that the software giant drop the clause in licensing agreements that it suspects helps Microsoft unlawfully infringe patents.

The clause prevents makers from suing Microsoft or other licensees over suspected cases of patent and copyright infringement in which elements of manufacturers' own software technology may end up in the Windows system.