Sorry to say I agree-- 80?? I think we will see it lower over the next weeks,,, Check the last sentence,,,
SEATTLE, April 1 (Reuters) - Software giant Microsoft Corp.
<MSFT.O> said on Saturday that it was "disappointed" that its
talks with the U.S. government to settle an antitrust lawsuit
had broken down.
The Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft blamed the talks'
collapse on the Justice Department, which filed the suit, and
accused the government of seeking "excessive and extreme"
measures against the company.
"Cleary we're disappointed that the government would not
agree to a fair and reasonable settlement, because we believe
it's in the best interest of consumers and the industry to
resolve the case now," Microsoft spokesman Jim Cullinan told
Reuters.
"Microsoft offered significant concessions in an effort to
end this case now," said Cullinan. "It's clear that the states
(involved in the case) and the Department of Justice were stuck
on excessive and extreme ideas that were just not going to lead
to settlement."
Microsoft has been in talks with Justice to settle the
antitrust charges since last November, when a federal judge
said in a preliminary ruling that the company had abused
monopoly power in personal computer operating systems to harm
consumers and rivals.
Last week, Microsoft made its most sweeping proposal to
date, offering to split its Internet browser software from its
Windows operating system, end preferential pricing for favored
customers and make it easier for rivals to write software for
Windows.
But on Saturday, Judge Richard Posner said in a statement
that he was ending his efforts to resolve the case because
the positions of the two sides were "too deep-seated to be
bridged."
"The quest has proved fruitless," Posner said. "I regret to
announce the end of my efforts to mediate the Microsoft
antitrust case."
Observers have said Justice and the 19 state attorneys
general who are involved in the case have favored harsher
punishments for Microsoft, like breaking up the company or
imposing strict guidelines on its behavior.
Microsoft expected the judge in the case, Thomas Penfield
Jackson, to issue his final verdict soon, Cullinan said, adding
that the company was "certainly" prepared to appeal.
"I would think a ruling is imminent. The judge will rule
when he's ready ... but it's clear to everyone where this is
going," Cullinan said.
"At the end of the legal day, Microsoft will be seen to be
pro-consumer and pro-competitive," he said.
Shares in Microsoft rose 2-7/8 to 106-1/4 on Friday amid a
general rise in technology stocks. The company's stock has
fluctuated between 90 and nearly 120 in the past several months
because of uncertainty over the outcome of the trial.
|
