FC: Anti-MS group tells Supreme Court to hear antitrust case

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ken Wasch, SIIA 
President
(202) 452-1600 ext. 310
August 15, 2000

SIIA Files Amicus Brief with Supreme Court on Microsoft Case

Brief Urges Court to Expedite Resolution of Microsoft Antitrust Trial

(Washington, D.C.)  The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) 
today filed an Amicus Brief with the U.S. Supreme Court urging expedited 
resolution of the Microsoft antitrust trial.  In the brief, SIIA expresses 
concern that further delay in the ultimate resolution of the case will 
enable Microsoft to both expand and consolidate its gains from illegal 
conduct.  Such delay also perpetuates unfair competition throughout the 
software industry and makes restoration of fair competition more difficult.

"As Microsoft itself has noted, resolution of this case will have a 
profound effect on millions of software users, investors and thousands of 
people employed throughout the software industry," said Ken Wasch, SIIA 
president.  "The request of the federal government for expedited review 
under the Antitrust Expediting Act, the first such request in 15 years, 
should absolutely be granted."

"The software industry functions best when companies within it are free to 
engage in a dynamic and unrestrained competitive process," continued 
Wasch.  "Judge Jackson recognized in his ruling that a structural remedy 
was the only means to restore fair competition to the software 
industry.  It's time to put the ruling to the final test and ensure that 
all companies have a fair chance in the software market, especially in the 
Internet sector."

Access the Amicus Brief at 
<http://www.siia.net/sharedcontent/govt/issues/compete/amicus8-15-00.pdf>http://www.siia.net/sharedcontent/govt/issues/compete/amicus8-15-00.pdf. 


The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is the principal 
trade association of the software code and information content industries. 
SIIA represents more than 1,000 leading high-tech companies that develop 
and market software and electronic content for business, education, 
consumers and the Internet. For further information, visit 
<<http://www.siia.net>http://www.siia.net>.

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Rachel Haynes
Public Relations Coordinator
Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)
rhaynes () siia net/ (202) 452-1600 x365
1730 M St., NW / Suite 700 / DC / 20036
Building the Digital Economy