Russian Government tries to dictate Microsoft's product release schedule

While Microsoft finishes its work on Windows 7, the Russian government has started an inquiry of the software giant for bounding the supply of Windows XP in the country.

According to Reuters` report, Russia`s state anti-monopoly body is examining Microsoft for possible breaches of Russian anti-monopoly law. It is related to its decision to stop selling XP at retail and pre-installed on new PCs, as well as for its XP pricing practices.

According to Reuters, the Russian anti-monopoly body probably has a problem with Microsoft trying to transition customers to Windows Vista at a time when demand for XP remains strong and plans to consider the case on July 24.

Though Microsoft ceased to sell XP last June 30, XP PCs are still obtainable from some OEMs through downgrade rights. After the cease of shipping the media, XP will be available only on netbooks.