|
Two-Front War (3/28/98)
|
 
|
| | |
As many of you may have already read elsewhere, The Justice Department's not the only faction of the federal government that's breathing down Microsoft's back. In addition to the ongoing Redmond Justice drama, it appears that the software giant's also going to have to continue to contend with Orrin Hatch and his Senate Judiciary Committee, who, after its original hearing on competition in the software industry earlier this month, appears unsatisfied that all is as it should be. All the juicy details are in a CNET article.
So Senator Hatch has sent a letter to Bill Gates informing him that the SJC's investigation will continue, and it would in fact be extended to include any antitrust practices that may have been used in the creation and selling of Windows 98, due out next month. Hatch indicates that he's "interested in Microsoft's relationship" with OEM's and web content providers who get special "platinum" status in the channel bar. The letter also requests-- and here's the kicker-- that Microsoft effectively release their partners and licensees from their nondisclosure agreements when discussing these issues with the SJC. That "requested" letter has a due date of April 6th. Similar requests were sent to Netscape and Sun, and at least Netscape has indicated that they're only too happy to comply with the instructions.
Microsoft, on the other hand, is not so quick to agree. A Microsoft spokesman said that the company is "adamant about the need to protect [their] trade secrets and confidential information." They may not have a choice, though, as a former FTC commissioner states that the letter to Microsoft contains an implied threat of a subpoena if the request isn't fulfilled. Either way, it seems that things could get very, very interesting soon...
| |
| |
 |
SceneLink (575)
|  |
 |
|
And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
| | | |
|
| |
|
 | | The above scene was taken from the 3/28/98 episode: March 28, 1998: Microsoft may soon find itself waging a two-front war against the U.S. government. Meanwhile, Adobe reveals a substantial profit drop, blamed primarily on reduced Mac sales, and Rhapsody and Apple are alive and well and ready to change the world again...
Other scenes from that episode: 576: That Sky Falling Again (3/28/98) Bad news for graphics giant Adobe, who reported their first quarter financial results and revealed a fairly massive 43% drop in profits. And though it's still a profit instead of a loss, some people are taking the news to be a foreshadowing of things to come, as well as an indication that the Mac continues to struggle as a platform... 577: The New Old Apple (3/28/98) Everyone who still lends any credence to the rumors that "Rhapsody is dead" should definitely take a look at these notes from a recent Bay Area NeXT Group meeting. Apple reps apparently managed to turn what was supposed to be a demonstration of Java integration into Rhapsody into a feel-good love-in that left everyone confident and upbeat about the future of both Apple and Rhapsody...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
|
|
