What is important to you?

[Gene Gaines <gene.gaines@ibm.net>]

          "Microsoft again this week said it won't accept any restrictions
 on its ability to decide which features it builds into its Windows
 software or limits on how Windows can be installed by computer
 makers on the machines they sell.
           ... the company said Monday in an e-mail newsletter ...
 ``We remain confident that the legal system ultimately will affirm that
 our actions have been both legal, and good, for consumers.''

See AP story below.

In light of such statements, what is important to you?

Gene Gaines
gene.gaines@ibm.net

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05:11 PM ET 12/14/99

Wall Street Reacts To Microsoft News

 Wall Street Reacts To Microsoft News
 By TED BRIDIS
 Associated Press Writer
           WASHINGTON (AP) _ Microsoft lawyers met privately in Chicago
 again Tuesday with a federal appeals judge who is trying to
 negotiate a settlement in the company's antitrust trial.
           Wall Street apparently reacted to rumors that a settlement was
 near. Microsoft's stock rose almost 4 percent to as high as $101.25
 in midday trading, higher than the stock has ever closed. The price
 ultimately dropped to $98.69 at the close Tuesday, up from Monday's
 close of $96.63.
           But the Justice Department later called the rumors
 ``unfounded,'' and others close to the case indicated no settlement
 was imminent.
           ``It's highly unlikely,'' said Robert Litan, a former senior
 Justice Department official who has been following the case
 closely. ``Settlements don't happen unless you're staring some
 deadline in the face. I don't think until they're looking into the
 abyss do people actually come up with a settlement. That's just how
 things work.''
           Courtroom arguments are to resume Feb. 22, suggesting a final
 decision won't come from U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield
 Jackson until at least early March.
           Microsoft again this week said it won't accept any restrictions
 on its ability to decide which features it builds into its Windows
 software or limits on how Windows can be installed by computer
 makers on the machines they sell.
           ``These principles are not just important to Microsoft, they are
 important to the future of the software industry,'' the company
 said Monday in an e-mail newsletter. It added: ``We remain
 confident that the legal system ultimately will affirm that our
 actions have been both legal, and good, for consumers.''
           A core question in the civil antitrust case is whether Microsoft
 should be allowed to continue including its Internet browser and
 other such features within Windows.
           The government also has complained about limits Microsoft places
 on how other companies can alter Windows on computers they sell. It
 alleges that those restrictions unfairly promote Microsoft's own
 features at the expense of other software companies whose products
 are similar.
           Lawyers for the Justice Department and the 19 states joining in
 the civil lawsuit had their second meeting Monday with Richard
 Posner, the chief judge of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,
 who has agreed to serve as mediator.
           Microsoft declined to comment.
           ``We never comment on rumors,'' spokesman Mark Murray said. ``We
 are not going to comment on anything related to the ongoing
 mediation efforts. We believe the only way mediation can be
 successful is if it proceeds in a confidential manner.''
           All sides met Nov. 30 with Posner in an introductory session and
 to plan future settlement talks.
           Since then, each side has now met separately twice with Posner,
 who plans to bring all the lawyers together soon to begin
 substantive discussions expected to last into next month, people
 close to the case said.
           Since the trial started, three previous efforts in Washington to
 reach an out-of-court settlement have failed.