Citation
Wynder, N. (1998), "Focus on Microsoft", Internet Research, Vol. 8 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/intr.1998.17208aab.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited
Focus on Microsoft
Focus on Microsoft
Microsoft has been the focus of international press in the last quarter of 1997. The world's largest software company is under investigation by the Department of Justice in the USA for a suspected breach of a 1995 court order barring it from using anti-competitive licensing for its software products.
In a hearing on December 5 1997, the Department of Justice ordered Microsoft to cease its practice of including its Internet Browser as a standard component of Windows95 while the investigation continues.
Joel Klein, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the DoJ's Antitrust Division, stated that Microsoft, "by violating the court order, is using an unlawful advantage to beat back an important competitive challenge to its Windows monopoly." Most importantly, by developing Internet Explorer as an integral component to Windows95/98, Microsoft is blocking any competition from other browser manufacturers. Users no longer need to install extra software, such as Netscape's Communicator/Navigator suites, to browse the Internet they simply use the browser that comes as an integral part of the world's most popular operating system.
Fears now abound for the release of Windows98, scheduled for an early-1998 showing, as the Internet is an inherent part of the new operating system.
Statistics show that Windows operating systems are installed on more than 80 percent of IBM-compatible personal computers in the USA. Pre-installation at factory-level is Microsoft's main channel of distribution for the operating system.
A number of companies, including big names such as Compaq, Gateway 2000 and Micron, have all spoken out about Microsoft's aggressive licensing and their threats to withdraw copy licenses for the Windows operating systems.
The case is ongoing. News.com reports that the DoJ have their work cut out for them, but also that Microsoft's case is strong.
Check http://www.News.com/ for more information.