How high will Microsoft fly? Message Board

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Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly?

MSFT 510.37

+1.4%

Nov 14 9:30 AM EST

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To: johnd who wrote (34162)	11/17/1999 8:00:00 PM
From: Teflon	Read Replies (1) of 74651

jd, I for one do not view a settlement as likely, like most of the other fans of the stock...I think its wishful thinking in action. The reality is that MSFT is in a very difficult and tricky situation. If MSFT (i) settles, MSFT will have its teeth and claws removed and essentially the company will be handicapped for years to come...Gates won't give up too much to settle because of this (he's been very good about sticking to the "right to innovate" jargon, but there's much more to it than that). If MSFT (ii) appeals, MSFT will suffer through the long drawn out appeal process that will surely end up in the Supreme Court...as well as deal with the onslaught of private litigation that will surely arise from Jackson's imminent ruling. In some ways, MSFT will lose regardless. Personally, I think MSFT is on damage control watch, and the fact that Gates and Allen are splattered all over CNBC for selling $1B worth of stock the week before Jackson handed down his "Finding of Fact" only drives home that fact even more. I think Gates will endure the endless litigation and choose route (ii) if he is forced to give up too much of MSFT's power through a settlement. And frankly, I hope that's the route he pursues. MSFT will still be allowed to pursue it's current business model and practices (for the most part) while the appeals process is in progress, and dealing with the massive onslaught of litigation will be nothing new and different for the shareholders and management, provided W2K is a huge success and MSFT continues to pull in incredible margins. IMHO as always, Teflon

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