OREANDA-NEWS. September 10, 2009. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) terminated proceedings against Microsoft. The case was initiated upon some signs of violating Article 10 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

FAS Russia suspected that Microsoft might have violate4d the antimonopoly legislation by economically and technologically unjustified termination of production and supplies of Microsoft operational systems (OS) for PC to the Russian Federation - box versions - distributives of "Windows XP" OS, and cutting down supplies of "Windows XP" OS preinstalled on new computers, as well as fixing different prices for "Windows XP" OS.

The case was terminated because antimonopoly violations by Microsoft were not proved.

Microsoft presented information confirming possibility to acquire Windows XP OS via four channels:

- Through PS assemblers (System Builders)

- Buying a version of Windows XP for licensing an established operational system (Get Genuine Kit, GGK)

- Through Downgrade Rights

- As a preinstalled OS on net-tops.

Overall, in 2008 financial year, Microsoft sold more than 1.2 million copies of Russian-localized Windows XP OS.

Microsoft also described its strategy for state-by-stage replacement of different OS (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7).

In course of the investigation, Microsoft put forward an initiative to organize in Russia procedures for free exchange by consumers of Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium for Windows XP Home.

The procedure will be introduced within three weeks and will last until the end of 2009 года At the moment similar procedures are only available for owners of more expensive versions Windows Vista (Business and Premium), preinstalled on PCs.