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

To: RTev who wrote (19094)	3/28/1999 7:34:00 PM
From: djia101362	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

It's a given that MSFT will appeal should Jackson rule against them at this level. It's also a given that an appeal will take well in excess of a year maybe two. Knowing the above, if you were the DOJ/Judge/AG, would you rather have MSFT continue doing what is has been doing all along and put another 100+ small companies out of business over the next two years, or would you rather have MSFT accept a lesser penalty than that which might be ideal in the DOJ/AGs view. Not to mention that MSFT could pull off the OJ/Clinton at the appeals level and walk away free as a bird. You might say it all boils down to the lesser of two evils. Remember folks, it's never too late to buy MSFT!!

To: RTev who wrote (19094)	3/28/1999 7:37:00 PM
From: t2	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 74651

RTEV, I do not think that Jackson would deliver a verdict without considering how appeals court would deal with it. This is the case of his whole career. He would not want to be overturned as it goes against his ego. Other low profiles cases don't really matter but this one does. If he was to be overturned, it will be a strike against his credibility and neutrality. He knows how limiting he was of MSFT throughout the scheduling of the trial. Even these may be grounds for appeal I read somewhere. Like I said before, he does not want that can of worms to be opened up. I can't blame him for pushing both sides to settlement. He wants to be remembered as one who got MSFT and Bill Gates not the one who was considered incompetent or biased. Consequently, if he rules against MSFT, both his ruling or remedy would not be severe---so much so that maybe even the states would consider an appeal even of a favorable decision. My feeling is that the states will try to push Microsoft as far as possible and then settle---ordinary negotiations. I am sure that MSFT attorneys are well aware of this. I also believe them in that the government has not proven harm to consumers which is the key element to the case. I still think MSFT is in a great bargaining position. They just have to be patient. I am sure they know that too.