Microsoft petitions US government and companies for assistance in EU appeal

Microsoft continues their battle with the EU and have asked for some big gun …

Maybe Wellton Way got to them because Microsoft has begun lobbying US businesses and administration for support in their continuing battle with the European Union. Although Microsoft has complied with the European Commission's antitrust remedies (e.g., unbundling Windows Media Player from Windows XP), their appeal of the EC's original antitrust finding continues. The company is now asking the US government for a helping hand in its dealings with the EC.

If you consider the previous antitrust rulings against Microsoft by the US government this may seem like a strange move, but it actually makes good business sense. In a memo sent to several United States-based companies, Microsoft is petitioning these companies to contact government officials and express their support of Microsoft's request. The memo also explains their reasoning behind the request.

[...] the European Commission's trade secrets decision will establish a precedent that could adversely impact the value of trade secrets which are substantial business assets for many US companies, including mine.

When asked for comments, Microsoft had this to say: “In recent years, the European Commission and EU member state governments have intervened in a number of competition cases and appeals in the United States. It makes sense for the US government to offer its views in a similar way under the procedures established by European courts, where the issue has broad implications for the global economy.”

According to the US Justice Department, it is fairly common for companies to "present their views to the department. Generally speaking, in every matter we make our decisions based on the facts and the law.” Having said that, non-European governments rarely intervene in antitrust appeals.