Microsoft goes to court; for opening of antitrust trial, U.S. plans an expanded case
Article Abstract:
The Government has adopted a high-risk strategy of broadening its antitrust case against Microsoft, as the trial begins today in a Federal courtroom in Washington, D.C. The Justice Department's Antitrust Division and 20 states are seeking to add evidence, which they say fits a pattern of Microsoft's business practices, to the suit that they filed in May 1998. This recent move consists of asking US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson to preside over a separate hearing on remedies, should the Government prevail in the case. Some of the considered reforms include further restructuring of Microsoft and possibly breaking up the company. Microsoft opponents would welcome the sweeping reform as a means to weaken the company's computing influence. The Government's case still centers on charging Microsoft with attempting to leverage its OS monopoly into new markets, particularly against Netscape's Web browser. Jackson could rule against some of the new evidence as impertinent to the original suit.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Witness lists suggest moves by Microsoft and the U.S
Article Abstract:
The government and Microsoft Corp filed witness lists on Friday, Sep 4, 1998, revealing glimpses into their thinking about strategies in the pending antitrust trial, expected to begin later in the month. The government's 12-person witness list includes executives from Boeing, IBM and Intel, all of whom are expected to testify that Microsoft competes unfairly. Microsoft intends to call witnesses such as Compaq Senior VP John Rose, who is expected to say that Microsoft's contracts with Compaq have in no way hindered Compaq's business. The government has said that Microsoft's licensing contracts with PC companies have been anticompetitive. It may be significant, however, that the government has not included any PC manufacturers on its witness list.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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