Attorney General Lockyer Statement On Microsoft Antitrust Case

Friday, November 29, 2002
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer issued today the following statement in the U.S. District Court's order for remedies in the Microsoft antitrust case:

"California, six other states and the District of Columbia will not appeal Judge Kollar-Kotelly's decree in the Microsoft antitrust case and instead will focus on enforcement to ensure that the software giant abides by fair competition rules.

"While not completely satisfying, the court decree closed enforcement loopholes, keeps compliance with the remedies squarely before the court and allows us now to turn attention to making sure that Microsoft competes fairly in the marketplace. Through our action, we have been able to ensure resources for enforcement of the remedies as well. And, as the prevailing party, the states will recover from Microsoft every cent of taxpayer money spent in this Microsoft litigation.

"Eight federal judges appointed by four different Presidents have found that Microsoft broke the law to illegally stifle competition and innovation. The states dissenting with the U.S. Justice Department settlement did so to strengthen enforcement of remedies and to protect the ability of entrepreneurs to compete fairly in the marketplace.

"This antitrust case has been good for competition, good for innovation, good for business, and – most important – good for the consumers in all our states. The case exposed the company's illegal practices, and now everyone will be watching Microsoft for reforms in its illegal monopoly behavior."
Litigating the Microsoft antitrust remedies have been California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Massachusetts has decided to appeal the federal court order and the matter is under review by West Virginia.

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