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11/2/01

Microsoft Settlement a Victory for Consumers, Taxpayers

WASHINGTON — With today’s announcement that the United States Justice Department and Microsoft have come to a settlement decision to finally conclude the erroneous case against Microsoft, members of the high-tech community and taxpayer advocates alike came together to praise this action, and ask the state Attorneys General to also conclude their trials.

The federal case against Microsoft Corporation was initiated by the Clinton Justice Department in 1998, cost taxpayers millions of dollars, while hurting the prospects for increased investment in the “new economy” of telecommunications and technology.

Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, a public interest advocacy group, issued the following statement regarding the decision:

“The Microsoft trial squandered taxpayers’ dollars, was a nuisance to consumers, and a serious deterrent to investors in the high-tech industry. But from now on, American taxpayers will no longer see millions of their dollars wasted in a ridiculous case brought on by Microsoft's competitors. Consumers will indeed see competition in the marketplace, rather than the courtroom. And the investors who propel our economy can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The unmitigated hubris of the Clinton-Gore administration’s willingness to meddle in the world of commerce has finally come to an end.

“Upwards of 60% of Americans thought the federal government should not have broken up Microsoft. With the case over, and the Bush administration indicating its disdain for these kinds of tactics, companies like Microsoft can get back into the business of innovating and creating better products for consumers, and not wasting valuable resources on litigation.

“Competition means creating better goods and offering superior services to consumers. With government out of the business of stifling progress and tying the hands of corporations, consumers – rather than bureaucrats and judges – will once again pick the winners and losers on Wall Street. With the reins off the high-tech industry, more entrepreneurs will be encouraged to create new and competitive products and technologies.”