Analysis: Ruling Unlikely to Affect Windows 98 Release nytimes.com
What the ruling and the suit have managed to do is focus a lot of public attention on a product that has been playing to widespread yawns in computer industry publications. In recent weeks, even Microsoft has been playing down revenue expectations for Windows 98, which is scheduled to go on sale at retail outlets on Thursday.
Well, maybe the rumors of sucking less are greatly exaggerated.
Where Tuesday's ruling might have an impact, analysts said, is in emboldening Microsoft to adopt a tougher stand in its contractual dealings with computer makers and Internet service providers.
In the last three weeks, several computer makers have announced that they will ship their products with Windows modified so that it opens with a customized screen that either identifies the brand or offers icons that link to sites on the Internet chosen by the manufacturers. This was a practice that Microsoft had forbidden in its contracts in recent years but did not fight after the Justice Department included the company's restrictive contracts in the antitrust lawsuit it filed in May.
"This means that Microsoft will have more muscle to reapply the screws," said Jessie Berst, editorial director of AnchorDesk.com, a Internet publication of the Ziff-Davis Corp. "Recently, we've seen large manufacturers such as NEC Corporation, Compaq and Gateway become emboldened by the Justice Department's pressure. This gives Microsoft the court sanction to reinstitute its previous business practices.
The world must be made safe for standard Microsoft business practice! Joachim Kempin rides again! Like, Bill really needed more muscle to apply the screws. Time to duck and cover, I say.
Cheers, Dan. |
