Microsoft Corp. has no intention of withdrawing its Xbox video game console from Australia despite reports it was considering such a move in a dispute over a copyright law, the company said on Tuesday.
Australian newspaper The Age reported last Friday that Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, angry over a court ruling that allowed an individual there to sell after-market chips that modify game consoles, had said the company would have to reconsider selling its console there.
A company spokeswoman told Reuters Ballmer's remarks were not specifically related to the Xbox, which she said Microsoft was committed to selling in Australia.
A company spokeswoman told Reuters Ballmer's remarks were not specifically related to the Xbox, which she said Microsoft was committed to selling in Australia.
After-market "mod" chips allow gamers to copy games and run games intended for other consoles on the Xbox as well as circumventing other built-in security features.
Microsoft's strategy has been to sell the Xbox game machine at a loss in order to make profits on the higher margin game software.
The console sells for A$399 ($220.65) in Australia. (A$1 = $0.55
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