Microsoft told to submit evidence
A federal judge orders Microsoft to turn over evidence relating to business dealings with two of its partners.
In a brief filed yesterday, Justice Department prosecutors said Microsoft had rebuffed their requests for information concerning dealings with Intel and Apple Computer, as well as for database contents relating to computer vendors who purchase Microsoft operating systems. The government's brief asked that the software giant be ordered to hand over the evidence within 24 hours.
In its own brief, Redmond attorneys yesterday countered that allegations related to those requests--as well as claims relating to other partners such as RealNetworks and Bristol Technology--were improper attempts by prosecutors to rewrite their case at the last minute.
In its filing earlier this week, antitrust prosecutors introduced new evidence that went well beyond allegations that Microsoft had illegally attempted to crush Netscape Communications' Navigator browser by tying its own Internet Explorer browser to its Windows operating system. Those claims, which had been central to the government's case, were dealt a major setback in June when a federal appeals court ruled that Microsoft was free to integrate its products so long as the combination provided a plausible benefit to computer users.
Among the new allegations are claims that Microsoft leaned on Intel, Apple, and RealNetworks to shut out not only Navigator but also Sun Microsystems' Java programming language.
Microsoft also said the government is seeking additional information concerning a private lawsuit partner Bristol Technology filed against the software company last month.