Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Chen who wrote (6479)	5/4/1998 9:45:00 PM
From: Maverick	Respond to of 74651

Microsoft Warns Win98 Delay Could Hurt PC Industry (05/04/98; 1:35 p.m. ET) By Ellis Booker, InternetWeek Microsoft issued a letter Monday outlining what it said would be the "broad, negative consequences" should a court grant a restraining order blocking the upcoming shipment of Windows 98. Expected to ship June 25, Win 98 is the target of investigations by both the U.S. Justice Department and a dozen state attorneys general. Rumors have swirled in recent days that the states, possibly in coordination with Justice, would seek to block Win 98 because its integrated browser-operating system is deemed by some opponents to run counter to a 1995 consent decree Microsoft (company profile) signed with the government regarding Win 95. The letter was issued this morning by Microsoft's chief financial officer, Greg Maffei, to the CFOs of Microsoft's major business partners and customers. The Redmond, Wash., software developer said it has about 2.2 million independent software vendors (ISVs) in the United States and 5 million worldwide. The letter argues that delaying Win 98 would harm not only Microsoft, but also the entire PC industry, and cites the product and marketing plans of Windows original equipment manufacturers in anticipation of the June 25 ship date. "These expenditures will be lost if Windows 98 is delayed or blocked," the letter reads, adding, "and they will also be wasted if the Justice Department attempts to remove Internet features from the operating system." The letter argues that ISVs are even now "being hurt by the uncertainty surrounding the release of Windows 98."