CPT statement on Judge Jackson's finding of fact in the Microsoft antitrust case

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

FMI: James Love
home phone 703.522.4380
wk 202.237.8030
love@cptech.org
http://www.cptech.org


Statement on Judge Jackson's finding of fact in the Microsoft
antitrust case

		
Today Judge Jackson took a large step toward reigning in
Microsoft, the company that exercises huge power in markets for
software for personal computers.  The decision is a significant
victory for the Department of Justice and for the public.  The
court has determined that Microsoft engaged in a litany of
anticompetitive actions, bullying PC computer manufacturers, and
engaging a numerous actions of technological terrorism against
Microsoft's competitors.  Judge Jackson's decision is
sophisticated with respect to the technology, and placed a
significant emphasis on interoperability issues, laying the
foundation for remedies that make it easier for MS rivals to
develop software that would work with Windows.   The extensive
detail regarding Microsoft's strong arm tactics with PC
manufacturers suggests possible remedies regarding Microsoft
licensing practices, and the extensive record regarding
Microsoft's failure to deal with parties in good faith suggests
the court may entertain structural remedies such as breaking
Microsoft into more than one company.





-- 
James Love / Director, Consumer Project on Technology
http://www.cptech.org / love@cptech.org
P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
voice 202.387.8030 / fax 202.234.5176