Microsoft Corp, and China's No. 2 personal computer maker signed
an agreement today to pre-install Microsoft's Windows operating
system in PCs in a move to combat widespread Chinese product
piracy.
The agreement with Founder Technology Group Corp shows "the
commitment of both companies to protect intellectual property
rights" and promote the growth of China's information technology
market, the companies said in a joint statement.
Founder will also sell Microsoft keyboards, Webcams and other
hardware in more than 500 stores across China, the companies
said.
Microsoft suffers from widespread piracy of its software in
China and has been pursing tie-ups with Chinese equipment makers to
discourage use of unlicensed copies of its products.
In March, Microsoft and China's biggest personal computer maker,
Lenovo Group, agreed to pre-load Microsoft Corp.'s tool bar and Web
search software on its computers.
Lenovo, the world's third-largest PC maker, was to load
Microsoft's Windows Live on laptop and desktop computers, the
companies said at the time.
The package included Microsoft's search service Live Search,
which could help the Redmond, Washington-based company compete with
search leader Google Inc for traffic.
(Shanghai Daily November 7, 2007)
