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To: Gerald R. Lampton who wrote (23788)	1/13/2000 7:48:00 AM
From: Harvey Allen	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 24154

Register: DoJ to propose MS breakup next week That leaves the big question of whether Microsoft could bring itself to deal. As we said yesterday, and as IDC recommends, a split into three companies wouldn't necessarily hurt the company, and it might even help. It seems pretty likely now that breakup will be the DoJ-states proposal for the mediation talks, and given the difficulty in getting the prosecution alliance to face in the one direction, and keep facing that way, it will be tricky to change the proposal radically later. Which puts the ball into Microsoft's court. If the company says no, then the trial looks like going to the wire. But it'll come under increasing pressure from analysts, commentators and quite possibly its own shareholders to say yes - the breadheads must be starting to note the advantages of leaving the antitrust actions behind, speculating on the AT&T precedent, and musing on how much more their stock might be worth if it were invested in three Microsofts instead of just the one. theregister.co.uk

To: Gerald R. Lampton who wrote (23788)	1/13/2000 7:32:00 PM
From: Craig Freeman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24154

Gerald, Bloomberg reported a news flash yesterday that the DOJ had announced that it did not agree with an earlier newspaper article stating that their position was to break up MSFT. That was my source. And, to quote one of your links, "USA Today reported earlier on Wednesday that the government favored a breakup of the company, giving specifics of the way the company would be restructured. A Justice Department spokeswoman said the USA Today report was inaccurate, without elaborating. "The story is inaccurate in several important respects," the spokeswoman said. "It does not accurately represent our views." There's a leak saying DOJ wants the breakup and a public statement to the contrary. Which, I suppose, means that we can't be sure of anything. Bill Gates stepped aside today to make room for Steve Balmer. IMHO, this was an excellent move because it takes Big Bill out of the target seat and sets up MSFT to weather was may come in the future. Maybe a breakup is going to happen Maybe MSFT even wants it to happen .. but to happen THEIR way. However it plays out, this is one interesting story! Craig