For Immediate Release

November 5, 1999

COMMENTS OF U.S. REP. NORM DICKS [D-Wash.]
REGARDING COURT FINDINGS IN MICROSOFT CASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) made the following comments Friday following the announcement of the court’s “findings of fact” in the government’s anti-trust case against Microsoft Corporation:

              "Though the findings released by the court today represent merely one step in an ongoing, lengthy and complex legal process, I am nevertheless disappointed by the court’s misinterpretation of Microsoft’s innovation and by the allegations of harm to software consumers.

              "The court has made its own legalistic judgment that Microsoft should not, for example, have pushed computer users into the Internet age by including a browser into its operating system.   The court seems to prefer slower innovation, with more gradual development of technology.  I disagree.  The robust innovation that has characterized Microsoft and many thousands of American software companies depends upon the ability to ‘push the envelope’ – to empower consumers with more features and more capability all the time.    Microsoft has consistently offered cutting-edge innovation and enhanced productivity to consumers at consistently lower cost.  It is unfortunate that any court in the United States would contend that this was harming American consumers.

               “I look forward to the continuing dialogue on this case, as Microsoft responds to the findings and as the court issues its final judgment.”

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