Microsoft Lawyer to Be on Antitrust Panel

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Talk about potential conflict.

To: undisclosed-recipient:;
From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>
Subject: Microsoft Lawyer to Be on Antitrust Panel

      Microsoft Lawyer to Be on Antitrust Panel
      - Feb 5, 2004 11:34 PM (AP Online)

By TED BRIDIS AP Technology Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Stung by earlier court rulings, Microsoft Corp.
has positioned one of its top lawyers to run a legal committee to
influence how much oversight U.S. courts exercise in antitrust
settlements like the one the company negotiated with the ush
administration.


The debate over how aggressively federal judges should scrutinize
these settlements is pivotal in the next major ruling in Microsoft's
long-running antitrust case, a decision that could come as early as
Friday.


Microsoft's effort in the legal community illustrates how the world's
largest software company is moving to protect its interests in venues
where it has found itself challenged. It also has increasingly
participated in the political process in Washington and in technology
standards organizations.


A U.S. appeals court is considering whether the landmark settlement
Microsoft negotiated with the Justice Department in late 2001 was
tough enough. The ruling could force fundamental changes to
Microsoft's profitable Windows software, the engine for hundreds of
millions of personal computers worldwide.


Microsoft associate general counsel Richard J. Wallis takes over as
chairman this summer of the American Bar Association's antitrust
section, an unusual role for a corporate lawyer. Even before Wallis'
arrival, the panel is already organizing opposition to a
congressional plan requiring more aggressive oversight by the courts
of such antitrust settlements.

...

      - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=40458251

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