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

To: RTev who wrote (20010)	4/7/1999 7:23:00 PM
From: t2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

RTev, The only thing I can say about that story is that there are no obvious leaks of the negotiation. If the states or DOJ want to continue talking past the restart of the trial, they would be taking a big risk of losing some points in the rebuttal phase. Why take that chance? IMHO, both sides have an equal amount of pressure and that story contains nothing but guessing. They did not address the possibility and the chances the DOJ/States are taking if they don't settle now. IMO, MSFT has nothing to lose at the rebuttal phase while the DOJ/States have a lot at stake. --other reasons: i had been reading over the months how poorly MSFT did in the court and that their witnesses did not appear well prepared. They are believed to be losing a "winnable" case as some experts have commented. Now they have a lot more time to get their act together. This the serious risk the DOJ/States are taking if they don't settle given a good offer.

To: RTev who wrote (20010)	4/7/1999 7:30:00 PM
From: t2	Respond to of 74651

The other thing about the trial that i would point out is that if MSFT settles with the DOJ/States----what is there stopping the DOJ and especially the states from going after Office. That is a reason MSFT might want to consider. The DOJ/STATES budgets will get freed up from such a settlement on Windows98. I remember the states had initially brought Office into the suit but later dropped it. I believe it was New York--probably from pressures coming from IBM. I think it had something to do with undercharging or overcharging or bundling with Windows--i don't remember.