(3 Nov 1998) English/Nat
The testimopny of Microsoft chairman Bill Gates took centre stage at his company's antitrust trial Monday, as he appeared on TV and computer screens throughout a federal courtroom.
Government lawyers played portions of a videotaped deposition by Gates, taken last summer, as they tried to prove his company had illegally wielded its influence to stifle competition.
In particular, the government focused on the role Gates played in securing a surprise August 1997 deal with arch-rival Apple Computer, and on a disputed meeting two years earlier between Microsoft and Netscape.
Attorneys for both sides arrived at the Federal Courthouse in Washington to hear testimony from the Chairman of Microsoft Bill Gates.
But the key figure in the case has still to appear in person.
The world's richest man appeared only on video tape, as prosecutors played taped testimony in an effort to prove that Microsoft was using it's leverage in software and operating systems to squash any competition
They alleged that Microsoft threatened to cancel a "Macintosh" version of its Office 97 suite in an effort to force Apple Computers to drop a rival Internet browser.
SOUNDBITE (English):
"The threat to cancel Mac Office 97 is certainly the strongest margining point we have, as doing so will do a great deal of harm to Apple immediately. I believe that Apple is taking the threat seriously"
SUPER CAPTION: Government Attorney David Boies
Government proesecutors say Microsoft so feared a competing operating system by Sun Microsystems called Java that it used the threat to force Apple Computer to help it kill Java
SOUNDBITE (English):
Quote" Do we have a clear plan on what :we want Apple to do to undermine Sun"..
" Would it be consistent with the way that you felt about Java for you to have told people that you wanted to undermine Sun. Did you send this E-mail on or about August 8 , 1997
SUPER CAPTION:
Government Attorney Boies
SOUNDBITE (English):
" I don't remember sending it"
SUPER CAPTION:
Bill Gates: Chairman Microsoft Corporation
During the testimony the world's richest man obviously didn' t feel very comfortable.
Government attorneys frequently accused him, on the videotape, of failing to directly answer.
SOUNDBITE (English):
" Would it be consistent with the way you felt about Java for you to have told people that you wanted to undermine Sun"
SOUNDBITE:
"Did you have discussions with Apple in which you were trying to get Apple to agree to undermine Sun"
SUPERCAPTION: Government Attorney Boies
Additionally , Microsoft is charged with illegally offering to divide the internet browser market with arch-rival Netscape - a charge the company denies.
SOUNDBITE (English):
" Are you aware of any instances in which representatives of Microsoft have met with competitors in an attempt to allocate markets"
SUPERCAPTION: Government Attorney Boies
SOUNDBITE (English):
"I'.m not aware of any such thing . And I know it's very much against the way we operate"
SUPERCAPTION : Bill Gates
SOUNDBITE (English):
" It would be against company Policy to do that ?"
SUPERCAPTION: Government Attorney Boies
SOUNDBITE (English):
" That's right"
SUPERCAPTION : Bill Gates
Outside both sides pleaded their cases to the public.
SOUNDBITE (English):
SUPERCAPTION : Government Attorney Boies
Microsoft spokesman Murray scoffed at the government's argument that this was for the public good.
SOUNDBITE (English):
SUPERCAPTION: Microsoft spokesman Mark Murray
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