Legislative Issues

Microsoft Trial

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee's Statement on Microsoft Finding of Fact

On November 6, 1999, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee today commented on the Finding of Fact in the Microsoft trial:

"I think it's very important to realize this is just a very preliminary step in a long process, really just the first inning of at least a nine inning ballgame. I remain steadfast in the belief that at the end of the day, Microsoft is going to be allowed to continue doing the good work that it has been doing, and is going to remain a creative, dynamic force in the industry.

The reason I believe this industry is one of the most creative industries perhaps in the history of the world, and I believe that the federal government stepping in to try to regulate this industry and make decisions for the industry is simple wrong. Ultimately, the people at Microsoft are going to be allowed to continue doing their good work.

The Internet is developing at the speed of a bullet. Those who think that the federal government intruding will speed up the process of innovation do not understand the glacial pace of government. The rate of innovation right now, with Microsoft on the world stage, is already so rapid, that by the time this litigation is in it's final throes, no one will be able to recognize the industry. Americans believe that Microsoft has been and remains pivotal part of the rapid pace of developing consumer products, and they're right."