As the software giant Microsoft fights a contempt hearing in Washington, the company's Tokyo's offices have been raided by Japanese fair trade officers.

The raid was part of an investigation into whether Japan's national monopoly laws have been breached.

The Japanese officials confiscated information about Microsoft's operating system and browser software.

They also seized information about the word processing software Word and spreadsheet software Excel.

Microsoft is under suspicion of violating the anti-monopoly law by requiring computer makers to license and distribute its Internet browser as a condition of licensing its Windows 95 operating system.

The company is also under suspicion of telling Japanese computer makers not to put software of competing companies in computers if the machines already contain equivalent Microsoft software such as Word or Excel.

Microsoft said it was confident that the group is in "full compliance" with Japan's anti-monopoly regulations.

In a statement issued from its headquarters, Microsoft stated that it is co-operating fully with the investigation.

"We have great respect for the important role played by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission, and we are confident that its review will show that Microsoft is in full compliance with Japanese competition rules," said Brad Smith, a lawyer for Microsoft.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©