Inquiry into Microsoft on-line plan grows
Article Abstract:
The Justice Department launched the second phase of its antitrust inquiry into Microsoft's upcoming Microsoft Network online information service by issuing requests for documents from companies signed up to provide content for the service. Microsoft plans to launch its new online information service as a bundled feature on its upcoming Windows 95 operating system, which competing online services such as America Online and CompuServe claim will give the software giant an unfair advantage. The Justice Department began the first phase of the investigation by issuing civil investigative demands to Microsoft's rivals. The current phase of the investigation demands documents written after Jul 1993 that pertain to subscription estimates. Observers believe that the Justice Department is searching for documents that demonstrate Microsoft's desire to use its operating system dominance to control the online information service market.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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An early flood of users is seen for Microsoft's on-line service
Article Abstract:
The US Dept of Justice is investigating the potential popularity of Microsoft's forthcoming Network online information service by asking for an opinion from a computer registration service company called Pipeline Communications. Pipeline estimates that as many as nine million users will try the new service by the end of 1995 after it is released in Aug 1995. The possibility of such vast popularity is worrisome to the other online information services. America Online is the largest online service provider with more than 2.9 million subscribers. Compuserve has 2 million users and Prodigy Services has 1.7 million. The Dept of Justice is looking into the strategy that Microsoft will use to sell its Network and in particular is concerned about the company's plans to include the service with its forthcoming Windows 95 operating system.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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Microsoft defends its on-line plans
Article Abstract:
Microsoft will continue with plans to release its Microsoft Network online information service as part of its forthcoming Windows 95 operating system despite an antitrust investigation by the US Dept of Justice. The Justice Dept is questioning the company's bundling of the service with its operating system and the possibility that this will give the company an unfair advantage in the emerging on-line service market. Microsoft officials say that the product will simply be one more product in a growing market. The Dept of Justice has increased its focus on Microsoft Network after the company abandoned plans to acquire rival Intuit. Microsoft was facing another Justice Dept investigation concerning that acquisition and gave up the plans rather than deal with months of lawsuits.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
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