S. Korean civic group plans damage suit against Microsoft

S. Korean civic group plans damage suit against Microsoft

Associated Press, Seoul

A major South Korean civic group is considering filing a damage suit against Microsoft Corp. over a virus-like attack that seriously disrupted Internet services in South Korea last month.

The Seoul-based People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said Tuesday that Microsoft was aware in July that the worm, variously known as slammer or sapphire, took advantage of a vulnerability in its SQL Server 2000 software and had issued a patch for the flaw, but had failed to promptly notify users by phone or personal visits. The software is used by businesses, government agencies, universities and others around the world.

Kwon Chan, Microsoft Korea's spokesman, said the company had sent out e-mails and newsletters several times warning users of the flaw prior to the attack on Jan. 25.

The South Korean civic group, which plans to begin gathering plaintiffs next week, said it will take legal action with a Korean court in the hope of claiming damage. It did not disclose details, including how much it would demand in damages.

The group said Internet cafe owners and department stores had incurred millions of dollars in losses due to the attack.

Last month, millions of South Korean Internet users were inconvenienced by the virus-like computer infection which shut down Internet connections in many parts of South Korea.

South Korea is one of the world's most computer-wired nations, with nearly two-thirds of its 48 million people having access to the Internet.