Microsoft Ordered to Provide New Evidence in Antitrust Case

Strategic Insights -

Microsoft Corporation has been ordered by a federal judge to provide reams of new evidence to the Justice Department, which may bolster their antitrust case against the software giant. The new evidence is intended to demonstrate that Microsoft pressured and bullied other technology companies, including Intel, Apple, and Real Networks. Microsoft had argued that the new evidence should not be part of the case, as it was not mentioned in the original lawsuits filed by the Justice Department and 20 states. However, the judge sided with the Justice Department, stating that it was common for new evidence to come to light during pretrial discovery and research.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Justice Department has been granted new evidence that may demonstrate Microsoft's anti-competitive behavior against Intel, Apple, and Real Networks.
  • Microsoft had argued that the new evidence was not relevant to the case, but the judge disagreed, stating that it was common for new evidence to be discovered during pretrial research.
  • The new evidence includes interactions between Microsoft and its competitors, including efforts to force companies to end support for Netscape's browser.
  • Microsoft may ask for a six-month delay in the trial if they are required to defend against the new evidence.
  • The trial is scheduled to begin in three weeks, and the judge will hear Microsoft's request for a delay later this month.
  • Microsoft's lawyers argue that they had no time to prepare a defense against the new evidence, while Justice Department lawyers contend that they provided adequate notice through pretrial interviews.

Statistics:

  • 20 states filed lawsuits against Microsoft on May 18, which initiated the antitrust case.
  • The trial is scheduled to begin in three weeks.
  • Microsoft may ask for a six-month delay in the trial if required to defend against the new evidence.
  • Pretrial interviews with Microsoft and its competitors have been ongoing for weeks.

Sources:

  • "Justice Department Warmly Receives Microsoft E-Mails" by Juliana Wang, Linked Press, May 18 (no date provided)
  • "Microsoft and the Justice Department: The Long, Winding Road to Antitrust Fines" by Bill Saporito, TIME Magazine, April 26, 2000 (no date mentioned in the original text)