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TPA Passes House; Settlement Processes Continue December 7, 2001
Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Clears House Vote, Heads to Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed - by one vote - Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation that allows the President to conclude trade agreements and submit them to Congress for ratification without significant changes or delays. This authority is critical in allowing the U.S. to negotiate trade agreements that help the high-tech industry maintain its competitive edge in these uncertain economic times.
Passage of TPA was a key initiative for Microsoft, and is critical to the continued growth of the high-tech industry and the economy in general. If you'd like to thank Representatives who voted for passage, a final vote roll call is posted on the Freedom to Innovate Website (www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate), where, as always, you can also contact public officials about issues important to Microsoft and the industry.
Watch for upcoming FINFLASH Action Alerts as the measure progresses through the Senate.
Antitrust Settlement: 60-Day Public Comment Period Opens
For the first time since the U.S. Department of Justice brought the antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft more than three years ago, public comment on the matter is being accepted as part of the official Tunney Act review process.
The Tunney Act - a law that directs the Department of Justice to invite and review public comment on antitrust settlement matters over a 60-day period of time - began in the Microsoft matter on November 28 when the DoJ's proposed Final Judgment and a Competitive Impact Statement (CIS) were published in the Federal Register.
You can learn how to submit your comments and find information about the Tunney Act process, as well as other documents related to the Microsoft matter, at the Department of Justice Website at: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/ms-settle.htm.
Antitrust Settlement: Senate Judiciary Committee Schedules Hearing
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the proposed settlement in the Microsoft antitrust matter on Wednesday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m. in room 106 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. Panelists have not yet been determined; watch for a FINFLASH Alert for updates, or check the Freedom to Innovate Website at www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate .
Antitrust Lawsuit: Non-Settling States File Proposed Remedy
Friday, December 7, the nine states who have not joined the Department of Justice in settling the antitrust matter submitted their proposed final judgment to the DC Federal District Court.
Microsoft believes the settlement we reached with the Department of Justice and nine of the plaintiff states is a fair and reasonable compromise that is good for consumers and will be good for the economy. The proposal filed on Friday, is extreme and not commensurate with what is left of the case. The Court of Appeals decision drastically narrowed the liability issues and provides the best roadmap as we move forward with these remedy proceedings.
We are committed to complying fully with the proposed decree and remain hopeful that we can resolve any outstanding issues as quickly as possible in the interest of consumers and the industry.
You can stay in touch with these matters and other issues important to Microsoft and the high-tech industry here at the Freedom to Innovate Web site at www.microsoft.com/freedomtoinnovate.
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