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CNN Live Event/Special

Microsoft Breakup Reversed

Aired June 28, 2001 - 15:12   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: Here's the attorney general.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: Today the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued its opinion in the Microsoft case. I'm pleased to say that the court unanimously found that Microsoft engaged in unlawful conduct to maintain its dominant position in the computer operating systems. This is a significant victory.

I want to applaud the hard work of the men and women in the antitrust division and the solicitor general's office, from the prosecutors and economists to the paralegals who have worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people. I also want to thank the state attorney's general, who have worked side by side with the department in this respect.

I want to introduce to you now, someone that I am pleased to work with on a daily basis, Charles James, the assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division. He will make a brief statement at this particular time, and obviously, is going to be available in terms of more comprehensive discussion of this issue later on. The assistant attorney general for Antitrust, Charles James -- Charles?

CHARLES JAMES, ASST. ATTY. GEN. ANTITRUST DIV.: Just to the amplify briefly on the attorney general's comments, today's decision represents a very significant victory for the antitrust division on the core claim in the Microsoft case. That Microsoft engaged in anti- competitive conduct to preserve its monopoly position in the computer operating systems. The unanimous court has concluded that Microsoft has monopoly power and has acted unlawfully to preserve it.

The court of appeal, however, sent the case back to the district court for further proceedings on the time claim, and the remedy. The court's decision is both long and very complex. Our task in the Antitrust Division is to work with the states to digest the opinion and determine our future course of conduct. Thank you.

WATERS: That's Charles James, the assistant attorney general with the Antitrust Division, and preceded by John Ashcroft, the attorney general. Both suggesting victory for the Justice Department, the Antitrust Division, in the Federal Appeals Court declaring that Microsoft is guilty of anti-competitive conduct. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com