Re: Company, government eyeing deal?

[Mitch Stone <mstone@vc.net>]

--- From a message sent by Eric M. Bennett on 3/10/1999 12:50 PM ---

>>The DoJ doesn't have to agree to an MS offer to settle.
>
>No, but if MS breaks itself up voluntarily then it could have a big effect
>on what additional things--if any--the judge is willing to do.  It's the
>judge who decides the remedies, not the DOJ.

This raises an interesting question. The consent decree was reviewed by 
Judge Sporkin, who at least attempted to abrogate the deal as not being 
the public interest (how right he was!). So, who would rule on any 
out-of-court settlement of the antitrust case? Judge Jackson? Anyone? At 
this stage, Microsoft might be willing to move heaven and earth if they 
could get the ultimate decision out of Jackson's court room.

Mitch Stone
mstone@vc.net