US v. Microsoft: Cybernaut Group Blasts Breakup Plan As an Outrage To New Economy

For
ImmediateRelease
May 2nd, 2000

Contact: Ms. Anne DeBlois
Email: president@nfin.org
Voice mail: (206) 664-1001, ext 2384

Quebec City, PQ, Canada -- Canada-based cybernaut group Netizens for the Freedom to Innovate vigorously denounces the latest breakup proposal filed by the US Department of Justice in April 28, in the landmark antitrust trial against Microsoft Corporation, by calling this plan "an outrage to the consumers, the investors and especially the New Economy".

"Breaking up Microsoft is akin to forcing McDonald's to sell its hamburgers without the French fries and to give away the recipe of the Big Mac's special sauce to Burger King and Wendy's, just because McDonald's sells too many Big Macs. It is akin to asking the Montrial Expos to keep their star Vladimir Guerrero on the bench because his homeruns offend the pitchers", said NFIN founder Anne DeBlois, a Canadian activist.

The April 3's ruling against Microsoft and the emerging breakup rumors already were damaging, as the NASDAQ crashed, and Microsoft's
stock lostover 15%. The American investors lost $80 billion in this big market correction.

The group states that the biggest insult comes from the fact that the DOJ's plan calls Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to lead the effort in crafting the details and timetable for how the company would be broken up, within 4 months of the final verdict. "They're asking Mr. Gates to be the one who destroys the company he did build with his hands. They're asking him for such a corporate suicide. This is unbelievable. Don't they have a heart? I hope that Judge Jackson won't approve that, at least. This is an outrage.

"NFIN's founder doesn't believe a Microsoft breakup will be good for the shareholders. "On the contrary", she said, "the shareholders will be the victims of a big Government robbery. They already are. I am, personally".

You may read Ms. DeBlois' full statement at www.nfin.org/publications/04292000breakup.html

Netizens for the Freedom to Innovate is a volunteer cybernaut group that fights against Government
interventionin innovation and design. You may log on to NFIN's Web site at http://www.nfin.org.

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