FTC raids Microsoft's Tokyo office over Windows XP contracts, Feb 26, 2004

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday raided Microsoft Corp's Japan headquarters on suspicion that the firm violated the Antimonopoly Law in connection with software licensing deals with Japanese personal computer (PC) makers.

Sources close to the action said Microsoft has allegedly forced Japanese PC makers to accept a contractual clause stipulating that they will not bring a case to court even if the software giant's technologies are very similar to those developed by Japanese firms.