News
Microsoft Responds to Gov't Breakup Proposal
In an open letter published on its Web site May 1,
Microsoft Corp. responded to the U.S.
Justice Department's breakup proposal issued on Friday, April 28, 2000.
In an open letter published on its Web site May 1,
Microsoft Corp. responded to the U.S.
Justice Department's breakup proposal issued on Friday, April 28, 2000.
"For 25 years, Microsoft has worked in
partnership with thousands of other technology
companies to provide consumers with products
that work well together and are innovative,
easy to use and affordable. Now the government
wants to tear Microsoft apart," the letter reads.
The letter, signed by Microsoft chairman and
chief software architect Bill Gates, and president
and CEO Steve Ballmer, echoed the executives'
sentiments expressed at Friday's ad hoc
teleconference following the release of the
Justice Department's proposal to break up the
company.
The letter goes on to praise Microsoft's
software development -- specifically Windows
and Microsoft Office, reasserting that
Microsoft "never could have created Windows or
Microsoft Office under the break-up plan and
heavy regulation now proposed by the government."
To read Isaac Slepner's report in ENT Magazine, go to
http://www.entmag.com/breaknews.asp?ID=2552.
To read the US Department of Justice's proposal, go
to http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f4600/4639.htm;
to read Microsoft's response, go to http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/trial/may00/05-01letter.asp.