Gates: Philanthropy Not Intended To Boost Microsoft's Image

Gates has pledged $500 million in investments and charitable grants during his four-day visit to India, home of a Microsoft software development center.

Some have accused Gates of wooing big business by giving away millions of dollars from his personal fortune in a country becoming increasingly dependent on Microsoft.

Software business owners accuse companies such as Microsoft of getting poor governments and companies addicted to their expensive software.

'Proprietary software companies hand out free copies for the same reason that cigarette companies give sample packs to college kids -- to encourage addiction,' said Richard Stallman, the founder of the Boston-based Free Software Foundation during a recent visit to Bangalore, India's technology hub.

While reviewing a child immunization program he is funding, Gates told reporters that his philanthropy had nothing to do with improving Microsoft's image or reeling in more Indian customers.

'The foundation is something for which myself and my wife personally provided resources. It is completely independent,' Gates said.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed some US$3 billion to projects worldwide including AIDS prevention, health care and computer literacy.

'Microsoft has enabled us to do this, but there is no connection between the activities of the foundation and the software activity,' Gates said.

His visit comes only weeks after a U.S. federal judge accepted a settlement between Microsoft and the U.S. Justice Department in a case in which the world's largest software company was often portrayed as a corporate bully.

Microsoft was found guilty of violating antitrust laws by making it difficult for its rivals to compete. The settlement includes requirements meant to blunt its monopoly in desktop computing.

Gates said he and his wife, Melinda, set up their foundation 10 years ago, long before Microsoft was hit by the U.S. government antitrust lawsuit.

'It was our commitment 10 years ago that whatever wealth we earn we will give back to society. This what something I wanted to do in my 60s, but the urgency of health issues made me start this activity at younger age,' said Gates, 47.

Microsoft's market value of $287.6 billion exceeds the gross domestic product of many nations.

Gates is the world's richest man, with a fortune estimated at $43 billion.