Microsoft Subject of Texas Antitrust InvestigationProbe of Internet/Online Practices Could Involve Other State Attorneys General, Reports InformationWeekPRNewswire Microsoft (Nasdaq-NNM: MSFT) is the subject of a recently-launched antitrust investigation by the state of Texas over the software giant's possible anticompetitive Internet and online commerce practices, according to CMP Media's InformationWeek. In a story posted this evening on InformationWeek Online (http://www.informationweek.com/), the newsweekly reports that Microsoft was issued a civil investigative demand (CID) late last month by Texas antitrust officials concerned about the impact Microsoft's practices on a number state businesses, including American Airlines, Southwestern Bell, Dell and Compaq. Microsoft must respond within 30 days to the action. The Texas investigative team is also eyeing a coordinated effort with other state attorneys general who have similar concerns about Microsoft's business tactics. Such an effort resulted in a recent law suit against America Online. Department of Justice sources confirm that a coordinated effort could bolster the government's ongoing investigation of the Redmond, Wash.-based software company. Microsoft confirmed it received the Texas CID last week. "We're reviewing the document and will work with the Texas attorney general's office," said Mike Murray, Microsoft's Corporate PR Manager, in the report. "We're confident they will agree consumers are benefiting from intense and healthy competition in Internet software." The Texas attorney general's office declined comment. InformationWeek provides a complete system of information products for people who manage technology in business, beginning with the weekly magazine and including InformationWeek Online, the Web-based resource for the information systems community; the InformationWeek 500 Conference, the annual event for business and technology executives; and InformationWeek Daily, which delivers news directly to the enterprise buyer's desktop. Published weekly by CMP Media Inc., InformationWeek magazine is the premier source of news, strategies, trends and product and technology information for people who manage technology in business. At 350,000 qualified IT buyers, InformationWeek has the largest circulation in the information systems category. CMP Media Inc. provides publishing, marketing and information services to the entire high-technology spectrum -- the builders, sellers and users of technology -- through print and electronic media. All of CMP's publications and online products can be accessed through the company's TechWeb® site on the World Wide Web (http://www.techweb.com/). Print titles include EE Times, Computer Reseller News and WINDOWS Magazine. NOTE: All of CMP's press releases are available on the Web at http://techweb.cmp.com/corporate. Journalists and reporters may also set up interviews with CMP's high technology experts through the site by e-mail. -0- 2/11/97 SOURCE: CMP Media Inc. CONTACT: Steve Rubel, 516-562-7434, or srubel@cmp.com, or Leslie Dunbar, |