Microsoft amends ISP contracts news.com
The decision affects about 10 to 15 ISPs in the United States, including EarthLink, and 30 ISPs in Europe, Smith said. Microsoft plans to modify the contracts in the next week or two, he said.
Some ISPs, including EarthLink, MCI, and Sprint, have reported receiving government requests for information known as "civil investigative demands"--part of a broad investigation into Microsoft's business practices.
The company has denied any wrongdoing and says its decision to change the ISP agreements has nothing to do with the inquiries.
This week, Microsoft chief executive Bill Gates is expected to testify in congressional hearings on competition issues in the computer industry. Netscape chief executive Jim Barksdale and Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy also will testify.
Yes, the timing is purely coincidental. Last week, everybody was quoting ZDNN on the DOJ "witch hunt". This week, who knows, I'm sure it will be an entertaining couple days. Will there be a new company line, or the usual recycling of Chrysler car radio, Bill the politically naive software engineer, let Microsoft be Microsoft stuff? I'm sure Michael Dell will set some kind of new standard for obsequious sucking up, anyway.
Cheers, Dan. |
