[Am-info] 25 states unite to fight Microsoft motion

[Mitch Stone]

The 25 states are neutral on the facts of Microsoft case, according to 
their statement, but are opposed to Microsoft's efforts to dismiss on the 
grounds that the states don't have the authority to pursue an antitrust 
case separately from the federal government. They are weighing in here in 
an effort to preserve their powers to litigate antitrust matters, no more.

Actually, there might be a bit more. Microsoft made a statement to the 
effect that although they disagree with the states attorneys general on 
this issue, that they continue to work with them on others. I get the 
sense that Microsoft recognizes the potential damage they've done by 
getting up the noses of states which were otherwise not interested in this 
case. I suppose Microsoft thinks it needs to move for dismissal on every 
possible grounds (how many times have they done it already?), but this 
effort has provoked a response from what I presume was an unexpected 
quarter. It seems like a risky legal maneuver, with plenty of down-side 
potential, and therefore somewhat desperate.

On Saturday, March 16, 2002, at 04:47 AM, John J. Urbaniak wrote:

> John Poltorak wrote:
>
>> Did anyone see this? :-
>>
>> http://news.com.com/2100-1001-861562.html
>>
>> Looks like another 25 states have joined the 9 already holding out making
>> a total of 34!
>>
>> This looks really sisgnificant.
>
> Looks like 25 more states have awakened and said "Hey, there's money to be
> made here."
>
> Just think - 34 states who think they might be able to balance their 
> budgets
> on the backs of Gates and Ballmer.  All they have to do is sue MS, then
> settle for a billion or so.  Beats raising taxes on their citizens.
>
> John



   Mitch Stone
   mitch@accidentalexpert.com