Poll: Public sides with Microsoft
Most Americans oppose state attorneys general blocking the release of Windows 98, according to a poll commissioned by the software giant.
By a 5-to-1 margin, Americans said it would be a bad idea for the attorney generals in their states to file such a suit, according the poll, which was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research and Robert Teeter Research, two better-known research firms. By the same margin, Americans say the best way to ensure competition in the personal computer industry is to let consumers decide which products to buy, without interference from state attorneys general.
The poll surveyed 1,002 adults nationwide between April 29 and April 30, and has a margin of error of 3.2 percent. The results were made public today.
Tom Riehle, a partner with Hart Research, called the results "unusually lopsided," noting that it is rare for more than 70 percent of people to come out on the same side of any contentious issue.
"People really do perceive Microsoft and the Windows products as adding and contributing to the health of the nation's economy," he said. "They don't see a need for this really extraordinary action."
As widely reported, up to 13 states are close to deciding whether to file lawsuits targeting potentially illegal conduct associated with the development and marketing of Windows 98. At least two of the attorneys general from those states--California's Dan Lungren and Massachusetts' Scott Harshbarger--are running for governor. A number of others are up for reelection, or have their eyes on political office.
The survey asked six questions that focused primarily on how people felt about the possibility of their respective state attorneys general bringing lawsuits that might delay the release of Windows 98. None of the questions focused on the possibility of the Justice Department bringing a similar suit.
Among the questions are the following:
Chris Holten, a spokeswoman from Microsoft competitor Netscape Communications, discounted the survey.
Riehle said that the questions were formulated by the firm after it sought input from Microsoft.
Microsoft's success has helped stimulate the growth of the computer industry in the U.S.