Prosecutors say Microsoft case will be honed
Article Abstract:
Several state and Federal prosecutors promised to pursue their antitrust case against Microsoft despite a Jun 1998 Federal appeals court ruling that favored the software giant. The Justice Department prosecutors and state Attorneys General said they might have to redefine their legal tactics in light of the appeals court opinion, which threw out a district court ruling that had prevented Microsoft from forcing computer manufacturers to bundle its browser software as a prerequisite for installing its Windows 95 OS. The panel's opinion permits Microsoft to add any features to its OSes, provided that customers benefited. The consolidated state and Federal antitrust efforts accordingly will alter their presentation by examining Microsoft's exclusionary contracts with ISPs and focusing on the antitrust law portion that regulate monopolies, according to Stephen D. Houck, chief of the antitrust bureau in the New York Attorney General's office.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Microsoft case is set for trial in September
Article Abstract:
US District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson set a date of Sep 8, 1998, for the Federal and state antitrust lawsuits against Microsoft. The fast-track schedule frustrated Microsoft, which had sought a hearing on the Government's preliminary injunction request in Jan 1999 to prepare its case. Microsoft also had requested a full trial beyond that date. By comparison, Jackson's move allayed Government fears that a more deliberate schedule would make the case technologically irrelevant because of rapid software industry changes. Jackson said adherence to Microsoft's timetable would have allowed computer manufacturers to ship 16 million to 18 million copies of its Windows 98 OS before the case began. Government officials praised Jackson's move to couple the preliminary injunction hearing and the trial, although they requested a Jun 1998 start. Microsoft succeeded in combining the Federal and state suits.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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