Antitrust action against Microsoft is called imminent; a 'far-reaching' lawsuit; complaint by state attorneys general may block release of Windows 98 Friday
Article Abstract:
Microsoft is preparing for new antitrust lawsuits that could block the release of its Windows 98 OS as well as drastically curtail its ability to add future Windows offerings. Both the Federal Government and the Attorneys General of at least 12 states expect to introduce new legal action against Microsoft as early as May 14, 1998, according to insiders familiar with the lawsuits. Microsoft plans to release Windows 98 on May 15, 1998. The states' suit would seek to prevent Microsoft from demanding computer makers to bundle its Web browser and forcing them to designate Microsoft as the default desktop, according to the State Attorneys General. Another state action would attempt to overturn contracts that force computer manufacturers or on-line services to carry other Microsoft products or avoid those of Microsoft rivals. The Justice Department has not yet outlined the details of its plan. Microsoft hailed a Federal appeals court ruling that prevents extending a district court's restrictions on Windows 95 to Windows 98.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Microsoft has a stronghold in Office suites
Article Abstract:
The 20 state Attorneys General's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft includes its Microsoft Office word processor. These states are accusing the company of attaining market dominance for Office through predatory pricing strategies. Office presently holds 93% of the international business suite market, followed by Lotus Smartsuite's 4% and Corel Wordperfect Suite's 3%, according to market research firm Dataquest. The three Office versions contain Word, the Excel spreadsheet program and Outlook personal information manager. Different versions also feature Powerpoint presentation software, Access database management tool or the Streets mapping and directions program. Microsoft extends two choices to computer manufacturers regarding Office installation, according to the state lawsuit. One option consists of paying $170 to $190 for individual copies that power some computers, or a per-system license that costs around $125 for all computers in a company line.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Judge delays Microsoft trial 2 weeks; deposition process is ordered resumed
Article Abstract:
Microsoft's antitrust trial has been delayed to Sep 23, 1998, by a Federal judge amid arguments over pretrial questioning of Microsoft Chmn William H. Gates. Company and Justice Department attorneys, who have been arguing over the deposition's location and questioning, requested the postponement. An attorney representing several news organizations requested an expedited review of an Appeals Court ruling on Aug 19, 1998, which ordered the Gates deposition to take place behind closed doors. This stayed District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's reluctant order in mid-Aug 1998, which said Federal antitrust law enacted in 1913 forced Gates's depositions to be made available to the news media and the public. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia scheduled a review on whether the depositions should be made public in Sep 1998, long after the questioning of Gates and 16 other Microsoft executives will have taken place.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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