DOJ vs. Microsoft creates uncertainty www5.zdnet.com
Esteemed ilk sister Mary Jo Foley again, in a story with a certain ironic twist.
The frenzy of speculation about what the U.S. Department of Justice will do next in its case against Microsoft Corp. has begun to take its toll on more than just Microsoft.
The fear, uncertainty and doubt surrounding the department's rumored move to slap Microsoft with a full-blown antitrust suit are not only blurring the issues, but forcing developers to delay development decisions on future Microsoft products.
"The FUD's getting thicker than in the Monica Lewinsky case," said one source who requested anonymity.
Microsoft would never instigate FUD for its own benefit, of course. And, in the hoist on their own petard department, we have the next paragraph:
"We need information on IE [Internet Explorer] 5.0, so we can decide how we want to build around it," said another Microsoft developer, who also spoke anonymously. "They can't talk about it as a stand-alone product because of their argument that it's part of the operating system."
It's all so confusing. IE- it's so modular, it's integrated! Or vice versa. One more little snippet for an old question of Sal's:
Another area the DOJ is likely investigating is Microsoft's Java licensing agreement with Sun Microsystems Inc., according to sources. Microsoft's efforts to prevent Java from unseating its Windows dominance might also be a violation of the Sherman Act, sources close to the case said.
Standard Microsoft business practice vs. the long arm of the law once more, as the coverage heats up again. Maybe Microsoft would have been better off cutting a deal on the consent decree action, but it's probably too late now. The OJ trial for the technoweenie set shows no sign of ending soon.
Cheers, Dan. |
