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Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft Antitrust Trial Reaches Pivotal Moment

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the Microsoft Corp. antitrust trial reaches a critical stage, US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson is set to issue a "Findings of Fact" document that will shed light on his thoughts on the case. The document, likely to be released on a Friday, will outline the judge's understanding of the events in dispute, including the government's allegations that Microsoft used its market dominance to crush potential threats to its Windows operating system.

The Justice Department has accused Microsoft of illegally bundling its Internet Explorer browser with Windows, bludgeoning computer makers into favoring Internet Explorer, sabotaging Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java programming language, and attempting to strong-arm Apple Computer Inc. into dropping a popular video-streaming product. Microsoft has acknowledged using hard-nosed business tactics but maintains that its behavior has not violated antitrust laws.

The "Findings of Fact" document will not draw conclusions or determine the outcome of the trial, but it will provide insight into the judge's thinking and the credibility he attributes to various witnesses. The case is likely to take several more months to resolve, with a final decision potentially not coming until 2002.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson is set to release a "Findings of Fact" document, which will outline his understanding of the events in dispute, including the government's allegations against Microsoft.
  • The document will not draw conclusions or determine the outcome of the trial but will provide insight into the judge's thinking and the credibility he attributes to various witnesses.
  • The Justice Department has accused Microsoft of illegally exploiting its market dominance to crush potential threats to its Windows operating system.
  • Microsoft is alleged to have used hard-nosed business tactics, including bundling Internet Explorer with Windows, bludgeoning computer makers, sabotaging Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java programming language, and attempting to strong-arm Apple Computer Inc.
  • Despite acknowledging the use of aggressive business tactics, Microsoft claims that its behavior has not violated antitrust laws.

Statistics:

  • The Microsoft antitrust trial is expected to take several more months to resolve.
  • A final decision in the case may not come until 2002.
  • Microsoft's market dominance in the Windows operating system is at the center of the Justice Department's allegations.

Sources:

  • NB. A pivotal moment in the Microsoft Corp. [NASDAQL:MSFT] antitrust trial could be at hand. US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, who is hearing the case, has said he will issue what's called a "Findings of Fact" on a Friday, perhaps as early as today. Here's a primer on this document and the case.
  • Reported By Newsbytes.com, http://www.newsbytes.com (19991105/WIRES PC, ONLINE, LEGAL, BUSINESS/USVSMS/PHOTO)

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