Russia seeks probe into Microsoft monopoly

Microsoft is accused of limiting supplies of XP to push Vista

Russian authorities are to launch a probe into Microsoft's business activities in the country after suggestions of monopolistic behaviour.

The state anti-monopoly department said that it is investigating whether the software giant had been restricting supplies of the Windows XP operating system into the country, both as standalone software and for preinstalled systems.

"Analysis of the market for various operating systems shows that the transfer to Windows Vista is occurring while demand for the previous operating system, Windows XP, continues," the statement said.

"Demand for separately packaged and preinstalled versions of Windows XP is also confirmed by retailers and the number of orders from the government."

The department is also investigating to see whether Microsoft is using pricing to push more buyers from XP to Vista.

"We [have] always answered anti-monopoly service questions in full, and intend to continue this practice in future," Microsoft spokeswoman Marina Levina told Reuters.