Is Microsoft's Antitrust Defense Realistic?
"Microsoft Moves for Anti-trust Suit Dismissal
As promised in their public response to the anti-trust suit brought against it by the Justice Department, software giant Microsoft late yesterday moved for a complete dismissal of the action in federal court. Attorneys for Microsoft filed the motion during a hearing yesterday, claiming the suit is without merit. The main argument the company is using is simple: Netscape Communications has not been impeded in the marketplace. The acknowledgement by Netscape that it has seventy million users is part of the evidence of that, says Microsoft. Analysts say the argument is one the Justice Department believes it can win, and federal judge Thomas Jackson, who oversees the case, has already noted his disagreement with Microsoft contentions. Jackson told both sides he feels the suit has merit, which was why he wants to wrap up testimony in the case in under a month to allow more time for his deliberations and legal considerations. Microsoft is using the decision in its favor earlier this year that it did not have to offer Windows 95 without an Internet browser as a precedent in its filing, saying the courts have already said its practices do not violate federal anti-trust law. In addition, the company has pointed out key events which it feels refutes the Justice Department claims. We covered the Microsoft response which is the basis of its filing last month." as posted on Thessasource, Tuesday, August 11, 1998.
Hal
PS: There seems to be a divergence of opinion between the general point of view and that of some investors who have fallen in blind love with the shares of this company.
Can Microsoft be expected to expand forever into the future without any consideration for Antitrust Issues? We shall see.
So far, this thing has been an incredible public relations disaster for Microsoft's image. If public opinion counts for anything, it will eventually count for something. HR |
