Microsoft Demonstrates That It’s Ready to End the Antitrust Case

Today’s decision by Microsoft Corporation to release portions of computer code that comprise its Windows operating system, demonstrates the company’s willingness to comply with the settlement reached with the U.S. Department of Justice and nine state attorneys general.

CSE Vice President for Federal and State Affairs, Erick Gustafson, issued the following statement:

“Microsoft’s announcement to release previously undisclosed computer programming code of its successful Windows operating system, pursuant to the settlement reached in November of 2001, is an affirmative sign that the company is complying with the arrangement and is ready to move on from the 50 month old case.

“Moreover, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) issued a ‘Microsoft Consent Decree Compliance Advisory’ to solicit comments as to whether the third-party licenses Microsoft is scheduled to make available on August 6, 2002 comply with the decree. Since the DoJ’s action will allow Microsoft’s most fierce competitors — AOL, Sun, Oracle and others — to use this opportunity to further their own self-interests, it is imperative that real consumers have a voice as well. CSE expects many of its members and other interested parties to voice their opinion as they have throughout this case.”