Microsoft Cuts Price In [uk.reuters.com] China To Stem Piracy

Microsoft Corp has cut the selling price in China of one of its software products by over 70 percent to counter rampant piracy.

It is the first special offer since Microsoft entered the Chinese market in 1992, the company said.

Microsoft said it had slashed the price for Office 2007 Home and Student Edition to 199 yuan (16 pounds) from 699 yuan ($102). The promotion, which started on Monday, will last through next week's National Week holiday.

The price cut is designed to make Microsoft's products in China more affordable and more promotions are likely in future, said Jim Lin, the company's public relations manager in Beijing.