Gates, on Capitol Hill, presents case for unfettered Microsoft

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Chmn William H. Gates defended his company's business practices before members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, characterizing Microsoft as the US high-technology economy leader. Gates, one of six computer industry figures speaking at the four-hour hearing, said government restriction represents the biggest threat to the country's technological boom. Microsoft currently is the target of a Justice Department antitrust lawsuit, as well as increasing complaints that it is taking advantage of its marketplace influence. Committee Chmn Orrin Hatch said Congress does not plan to update antitrust legislation that dates to the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. Hatch, a Utah Republican, said the committee wants to examine the software industry's market power and whether Microsoft is abusing its market power. Gates also said software vendors were responsible for more than two million US jobs and $100 billion in 1998 economic contributions.

Company legal issue, Cases, Investigations, Antitrust law, United States. Department of Justice, Economic policy, Market domination, Market share, Litigation, Hatch, Orrin G., Lawsuit/litigation, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary, Antitrust Issue

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Gates, the pragmatist, walked away

Article Abstract:

Microsoft CEO Bill Gates is demonstrating the pragmatic businessman side of his personality by cancelling the planned $2 billion acquisition of Intuit. Clearly, Gates determined that a protracted legal battle with the Department of Justice would not be worth the effort. Most people have an idea of Gates as a visionary and a tough competitor who never walks away from a fight but his decision reflects a pragmatism that is rarely seen. The decision also demonstrates the power that the Department of Justice can have over the rapidly expanding technology industry. The cancelled acquisition will be a setback for Microsoft but will not be so disastrous because the company still dominates the personal software market. Microsoft will now have to start again in its plans to develop online financial services and its own Microsoft Money personal finance software is far behind Intuit's Quicken in market share.

Mergers & Acquisitions, Company Business Management

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A top official said to leave at Microsoft; besides retirement, a revamping is seen

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Exec VP Mike Maples is expected to announce his retirement in May 1995, according to company sources. Maples' plans to step down will also include a restructuring of the company's current three-person executive team, which is expected to expand the office of the president. The current office includes CEO Bill Gates, Exec VP Steve Ballmer and Exec VP Robert Herbold. Sources close to the company say that Maples will stay with the company for a couple of months and that his decision to leave has nothing to do with a split with the company and is simply for personal reasons. Microsoft is interested in expanding its executive office because the company has grown beyond the manufacturing of operating systems and business software.

Human resource management, Appointments, resignations and dismissals, Company personnel management, Maples, Michael J., Company Employee Status Change

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