Microsoft to face tough claims of unfair tactics against Java
Article Abstract:
The Microsoft antitrust trial shifts today, when the Justice Department and 20 states attempt to prove that Microsoft deliberately sought to weaken Java. Some of the new evidence has links to a federal judge's Nov 1998 preliminary ruling in San Jose, CA, which said Microsoft might have tried to adopt unfair tactics to undermine Java as well as its developer, Sun Microsystems. New antitrust testimony today will introduce written testimony from Java's developer, Sun Vice Pres James Gosling. The testimony will allege that Microsoft perceived the versatile Java, introduced in 1995, as a threat to its dominant Windows market. Microsoft then allegedly planned to flood the market with its own, Windows-enabled Java version through the extensive Microsoft distribution channel. Other evidence will include more portions of videotaped testimony by Microsoft Chmn Bill Gates, who insiders say comes across as feisty and evasive when answering Java-related questions.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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U.S. signals new focus in Microsoft case; Apple and AOL evidence suggests the next step of Government's attack
Article Abstract:
Government prosecutors introduce evidence involving Apple Computer in the Microsoft antitrust case. Among new documents is a handwritten note from Apple's chief financial officer, Fred Anderson, explaining why Apple decided to use Microsoft's Internet Explorer as a default browser on Macintosh computers. Anderson says Microsoft threatened 'to abandon the Mac.' At the time, says Anderson, Apple needed to be certain that Microsoft would continue to provide MS Office for the MAC, which was regarded as a critical software package. Microsoft says Anderson's note is taken out of context. Prosecutors also released testimony from America Online Senior VP David Colburn. According to Colburn, AOL dropped Netscape in 1996 because Microsoft offered to distribute and promote AOL's services via Microsoft's Windows. Colburn says the deal was a trade-off: AOL received a place on the Windows desktop, and Microsoft's browser got 'virtual exclusivity' on AOL.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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