looks like mr gates is standing fast. i'm standing with him. holding my shares.
regards
Bellevue, Washington, Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp.
Chairman Bill Gates told shareholders the company would ``go a
long way' to address government concerns over its monopoly
status though Microsoft's ability to innovate isn't negotiable.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson made an initial
legal pronouncement Friday, declaring Microsoft a monopoly.
``We're willing to go a long way to address the government's
concerns,' Gates told about 2,500 shareholders at the company's
annual meeting. ``But if we can't add Internet support (to the
Windows operating system), we can't do anything.'
A Microsoft shareholder said she ``felt disappointment and
humiliation about the way the case was handled by counsel,' and
asked whether the company would change lawyers.
``I'm quite proud, quite supportive of what's been done,'
Gates said in response. ``We ask your support in that.'
The meeting was held in Bellevue, Washington, a few miles
south of the company's Redmond headquarters.
Gates told shareholders that he'd been asked repeatedly why
the company couldn't just settle the suit.
``We've said throughout that we've welcomed any opportunity
to settle and we've put a lot of energy into that,' Still, ``No
company should accept these limitations on its ability to
innovate.'
Jackson found Microsoft has a monopoly in computer
operating systems and used its ``prodigious market power and
immense profits to harm' rivals. The U.S. Justice Department has
said it would consider a breakup of the company as one remedy if
Microsoft is finally determined to be a monopoly.
The judge has yet to issue a final ruling on whether
Microsoft violated the Sherman Antitrust Act or assess
punishment. His final decision is expected to take months, and an
appeal by Microsoft could stretch the case by several years.
Shares of Microsoft fell 1 3/4 to 87 1/8.
¸1999 Bloomberg L.P. |
