For Immediate Release

November 2, 2001

PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF MICROSOFT CASE
IN BEST ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF NATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash) said Friday that the settlement agreement announced today between the U.S. government and Microsoft Corp. is "a very positive development that could provide critical stimulus at a time when the technical sector of our economy, in particular, has been declining."

       The congressman said he was very encouraged that the U.S. Justice Department "has recognized the need to resolve its complaints against the company in an equitable manner."

        "Most importantly, this settlement agreement will allow Microsoft to continue to offer software consumers improved features integrated within the Windows operating system," Rep. Dicks said.   "The worldwide success of Microsoft products has been based on continually giving computer users new and better features that have clearly played a role in improving the productivity of workers here and around the globe," he added.

        "The questions surrounding Microsoft's ability to continue to innovate were not only impeding the company's growth, but they also were exerting a negative impact on the entire high tech sector of our nation's economy.   Clearly, the resolution of these questions will provide a needed boost to our country's economy at this time,"  Rep. Dicks stated Friday.

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