[Am-info] Microsoft wins a big one (NOT)

[Gene Gaines]

The Microsoft twist on truth is below, followed by a
typical story lead from the business and trade press.

Truth is, Microsoft asked the court to deny the states the right
to sue.  Truth is, the DOJ filed ans amicus brief which agree that
the states should have the right to sue.

Yes, the issue is complex, but the statement above is the heart of
what happened.  Microsoft suffered a defeat.

So, here are two statements, one issues by Microsoft PR and the
second by a typical trade press source, Tech Republic.


Microsoft statement:

   This afternoon, the Department of Justice filed an amicus brief, in
   response to a request by the Court, on our Motion to Dismiss.
   
   The following is a statement you can use on behalf of the company on
   today's filing by the DoJ.
   
   We are gratified that the Department of Justice has weighed in to
   support major elements of our motion to dismiss as well as the key
   points we made in our motions for judgment as a matter of law filed in
   court today.  In their brief, the DOJ acknowledges that our Motion to
   Dismiss raises important issues of federal antitrust enforcement
   policy that are significant in the Court's ultimate decision on this
   case.  The brief also confirms that the non-settling States are
   required to prove that they have sustained an antitrust injury as a
   result of Microsoft's actions, which the States did not do in their
   case-in-chief.
   ...
   If you have any questions, please call me, Jon Murchinson or Vivek
   Varma.
   
   
   Jim Desler
   
   Microsoft Corp PR

----------------------------------------

>From IT News at TechRepublic.com:

TODAY'S TOP STORY

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a legal brief that formally
disputed Microsoft's contention that the antitrust case being
pursued against Microsoft by nine U.S. states should be thrown
out. The DOJ's filing likely ensures that the nine states' pursuit
of harsh remedies against Microsoft will proceed.




Gene Gaines
gene.gaines@gainesgroup.com
Sterling, Virginia