UNTANGLING THE KNOTS IN MICROSOFT JUDGE'S "TYING" ARGUMENT Microsoft trial judge Thomas Penfield Jackson complained that the software maker is guilty of illegally "tying" together two products: its Explorer Web browser and its operating system. But Jackson's argument is itself an example of improper tying, says economist Stephen Margolis of the Independent Institute in a new op-ed. It weaves together "old economics" antitrust decisions and prevalent misconceptions about "new economy" competition into a ball of twisted logic. "Judge Jackson's reading of [prior antitrust cases] Jefferson Parish and Eastman Kodak give us an approach to new-product development that will serve us poorly in the new century," writes Margolis. "Ratification of a rule that hinders [product integration] will give us less innovation, not more." For Stephen Margolis's article, see http://www.independent.org/tii/lighthouse/LHLink2-22-1.html. To hear Stephen Margolis on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation", go to http://www.independent.org/tii/lighthouse/LHLink2-22-2.html (Margolis appears about 15 minutes into the 45-minute segment). For information about WINNERS, LOSERS & MICROSOFT, by Stan Liebowitz and Stephen Margolis, see http://www.independent.org/tii/lighthouse/LHLink2-22-3.html. ------------------------------------------------------------- Excerpted via THE LIGHTHOUSE "Enlightening Ideas for Public Policy..." VOL. 2, ISSUE 22 June 13, 2000 http://www.independent.org ************************************************************************** Subscribe to Freematt's Alerts: Pro-Individual Rights Issues Send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the words subscribe FA on the subject line. List is private and moderated (7-30 messages per month) Matthew Gaylor,1933 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., PMB 176, Columbus, OH 43229 Archived at http://www.egroups.com/list/fa/ **************************************************************************
