The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) launched an investigation of Siemens Korea’s alleged unfair business practices in the field of the medical equipment business.
Specifically, it is the healthcare division of Siemens Korea that is subject to the investigation. According to the FTC, the division has refused to provide software ownership and given only the rights to use its software, while supplying hospitals with its medical equipment such as MRI scanners and CT scanners.
It is said that the FTC has already collected service contracts of the healthcare division of the company for the purpose of the investigation. According to industry sources, Korean hospitals pay the company no less than 400 billion won (US$352 million) or so a year in maintenance costs.
The investigation was started as some of the hospitals accused the company with regard to maintenance issues. The FTC declined to reveal the details of the investigation.