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Software a Fair Trade Issue?
Fair Trade vs. Free Trade discussion in asia visits the issue of Microsoft's monopoly share of computer software in Taiwan. Parliament in Taiwan wants to reduce its government's dependence on Microsoft windows as China, Korea, and Japan are taking measures towards software technology independence. Last year Latin America moved against Microsoft with policy in favor of Linux, a free alternative to Microsoft Windows.
ROC (Taiwan) Parliament passed a resolution Friday, January 13, 2006 requiring a 25% reduction in Microsoft purchases in 2006. Reporters identify Microsoft's parallel difficulties in China, Korea, and Japan. They suggest Microsoft's near monopoly in these countries is evoking political resistance. All four countries are now currently taking action to protect their own software industries from the global giant.
Microsoft is in the market position to control access to global markets for computer software. Last year many Latin American countries adopted measures to achieve technology independence by dropping Microsoft or adopting Linux. Taiwan's move establishes that Microsoft's monopoly power is meeting global resistance.
Fair Trade wine in the Sun Times
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