Its trial on hold, Microsoft maps out its options
Article Abstract:
The lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice against Microsoft Corp. is on a six-week hiatus, giving the Redmond, Washington-based software maker time to consider various ways of resolving its antitrust case. Microsoft. whose credibility was attacked by federal prosecutors, is looking at settlement options as well as a possible appeal if the court rules against the company. If the company was to agree to a settlement, it would have to contend with private suits since a consent decree may be cited as admission of charges. Additionally, any settlement would have to be approved by the 19 states participating in the case. If Microsoft appealed an unfavorable ruling, it would do so based on copyright law. Legal advisors claim the software concern has the right to prevent alterations to its products, a defense that would require that the appeals court consider both intellectual-rights and antitrust law.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1999
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Microsoft official concedes company sought to restrict web-browser choices
Article Abstract:
In the Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corp., Vice President Cameron Myhrvold testified that his company had imposed contract restrictions on Internet service providers in order to limit consumers' choice of Web browsers. In exchange for favorable placement on the Microsoft operating system's desktop screen, service providers agreed to not to tell customers that they could choose between Netscape Communications Corp.'s browser and Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Myhrvold agreed with federal attorney David Boies that his company was concerned that, given a choice, consumers would select Netscape's browser. The contracts also stipulated that distribution restrictions be placed on Netscape's Web software, which in the government's view supported their case against the Redmond, Washington software concern.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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