Consumers Cheer Microsoft Settlement

Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) today saluted D.C. Circuit Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly’s acceptance of the settlement between Microsoft Corp. and the Dept. of Justice. CSE published two books about the litigation, and actively engaged its members and the public with a broad grassroots campaign defending consumer interests in the case.

CSE’s President, Paul Beckner, commented:

“After four years of litigation, this decision is good news for consumers. While far from perfect, the settlement puts competition back in the marketplace, where it should be. Consumers should enjoy the benefit of a high tech sector that competes through innovation, providing consumers with the products they need at affordable prices. Courtroom competition does little for consumers, as producers vie for market advantages through legal barriers rather than better products.

“Lifting the cloud of uncertainty over the high tech sector is an important step forward in a sagging marketplace. With their legal battles behind them, software developers and producers can focus on their customers rather than their lawyers. While the settlement leaves in place significant regulatory oversight, it set consumer satisfaction as the highest priority.

“In a case where consumer harm was never demonstrated, the court appropriately avoided remedies that would destroy the company for the sake of its competitors. Instead, today’s settlement establishes ground rules for a dynamic marketplace aimed at serving the needs of consumers.”