The government will promote the use of open-source software ahead of the suspension in July of the Windows 98 operating system.

Six state agencies including the National Intelligence Service and the Information and Communication Ministry on Thursday decided to consider an overhaul of laws on software and consumer reparations.

A proposed revision calls for software producers to specify a mandatory warranty period for major software such as computer operating systems.

A ministry official said a rule requiring a warranty is necessary, citing Microsoft's articles allow arbitrary suspension of service for Windows.