For those who may have missed it earlier, today's New York Times
(12/31/97, p. C8) reports that the U.S. court of appeals in Washington
yesterday GRANTED Microsoft's motion for an *expedited* hearing of its
appeal of Judge Jackson's injunction against its OS/browser tying.
March 9 was set as the date for the filing of written motions and
replies, with oral argument to follow. This is of course well ahead of the
May due date of the special master's report to Judge Jackson--thus setting
the stage for a 3-judge panel of the appeals court (again, one dominated by
Reagan appointees with a virtually perfect record of ruling for monopoly
defendants) to set aside that lower-court injunction before it's ever
actually enforced
A Microsoft spokesman, according to the Times, allowed as how 'the
company was encouraged by the ruling,' one it saw as a boon for 'consumers.'
As well it might be encouraged. Again, put your money on Bill's legal team.
In this pro- monopoly court, it couldn't lose if it was led by Barney Fife.
Look for a quick appellate decision, one that exonerates Microsoft of all
charges.
Charles Mueller, Editor
ANTITRUST LAW & ECONOMICS REVIEW
http://webpages.metrolink.net/~cmueller
