[Am-info] [Fwd: [ale] M$ lobying]

[Case Roole]

On Tue, 13 Jun 2000, Wandered Inn wrote:
> >  "Microsoft Tries Another Court; Public Opinion"
> >  New York Times (06/12/00) P. A1; Broder, John M.
> > 
> >  Microsoft has begun an all-out publicity campaign to persuade lawmakers
> >  and the public to back the software giant in its battle with antitrust
> >  regulators and the courts. The company is contributing to both major
> >  political parties, hiring lobbyists, backing the creation of seemingly
> >  independent trade associations, running ads in the major media outlets,
> >  and supporting free-market oriented research groups. Computer and
> >  Communication Industry Association President Ed Black, whose
> >  organization is mainly backed by Microsoft opponents, says, "It's
> >  everywhere and it's huge." Microsoft critics, including Sun
> >  Microsystems, IBM, Novell, America Online, and Oracle are responding
> >  with a huge push of their own, including the hiring of former federal
> >  judge Robert H. Bork, PR firms, and other lobbyists. Total spending in
> >  anti-Microsoft propaganda surpassed $11 million in 1999, according to
> >  the Federal Election Commission, while Microsoft spent $4.6 million.

It is remarkable the title above is replaced in the online edition with
"Microsoft Spending Millions on Ads and Lobbying Efforts". The title "Microsoft
tries another court; public opinion" better reflects the contents.

Aside from ignoring the fact the Microsoft was found guilty of violating the
law, the article is probably misleading about some basic facts in a highly
significant way. 

> Total spending in
>  anti-Microsoft propaganda surpassed $11 million in 1999, according to
>  the Federal Election Commission, while Microsoft spent $4.6 million.

I don't see how one can establish on what message donations were spent. I have
a strong suspicion that the author has added up the total political spending of
Sun, IBM, Novell, AOL and Oracle and called it "total spending in anti-Microsoft
propaganda". That wouldn't be anywhere near honest. Note that no details are
given on the "anti-Microsoft propaganda".

Also, the author ignores the fact that Microsoft was a member of the CCIA but
dropped out when the organization starting to criticize its behavior during the
trial.

-cjr