Microsoft Fires Back at Apple's Antitrust Claims with Damning Testimony

Microsoft Corp counsel Theodore Edelman delivered a decisive blow to Apple Computer Corp's antitrust claims by exposing inconsistencies in the testimony of Apple's vice president of software engineering, Avadis Tevanian. In a candid exchange, Edelman revealed that Apple's claims of Compaq Computer Corp's reluctance to bundle QuickTime due to fear of Microsoft's reaction were unfounded. Instead, the testimony of Compaq's director of software procurement, Steven Decker, revealed that the company was hesitant to pay a royalty for QuickTime 3.0, which was not the case with Microsoft's NetShow.

Key Takeaways:

• Compaq Computer Corp's reluctance to bundle QuickTime was due to the firm's refusal to pay a royalty for QuickTime 3.0, not fear of Microsoft's reaction.
• Compaq's director of software procurement, Steven Decker, testified that the company was willing to continue bundling the earlier version of QuickTime for free.
• Decker stated that Microsoft's NetShow was included as part of the operating system, unlike QuickTime 3.0 which required a separate payment.
• Decker denied any discussion of Microsoft's reaction at the QuickTime demonstration meeting.
• The testimony raises questions about Apple's motivations and honesty in the antitrust trial.

Statistics:

• 3.0 version of QuickTime required a separate payment.
• NetShow was included as part of the operating system.
• Compaq was willing to continue bundling the earlier version of QuickTime for free.
• 1 meeting between Apple and Compaq where QuickTime demonstration took place.
• 1 instance of Microsoft's reaction being discussed at the meeting, according to Decker.

Sources:

• "Microsoft Corp Counsel Theodore Edelman"
• "Apple Computer Corp's Avadis Tevanian - vice president of software engineering"
• "Compaq Computer Corp director of software procurement - Steven Decker"
• "Compaq Computer Corp - QuickTime 3.0"
• "Microsoft Corp - NetShow"