A key Democratic Senator urged government prosecutors on Tuesday to insist that Microsoft Corp make major changes enabling its new Windows XP operating system to accommodate rival software applications, as part of any settlement of the government antitrust case against the company.
The government should block the October release of Windows XP unless the software giant makes it more compatible with rival software applications such as digital photo imagers, media players and instant messaging programs, Senator Charles Schumer of New York said at a press conference.
"I am sending a letter to the head of the antitrust division, asking that he not settle with Microsoft unless they agree to a global settlement providing open access for competitors to offer their software application products on an equal basis with Microsoft applications," said Schumer, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Schumer's state is headquarters to two companies that are embroiled in competition disputes with Microsoft, AOL Time Warner Inc and Eastman Kodak Co.
His comments came the day after Microsoft entered preliminary discussions with prosecutors at the Justice Department and 18 state attorneys general aimed at restarting settlement talks.
Schumer's complaints dovetailed with an announcement by Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, that he plans to spotlight Microsoft's business practices at a September hearing.
The senator also said he had written a letter to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer demanding changes to Windows XP, which is scheduled for release in October. Schumer said he had spoken to New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer and urged that states in the lawsuit seek an court injunction to stop the release of Windows XP.
Schumer complained that Windows XP is prevents computer users from accessing software applications sold by competitors, such as Kodak's digital imaging software. If the new operating system is allowed to go forward as-is, Schumer said, it could enable Microsoft to kill off competitors like Kodak.
"It appears to me that Microsoft intends to maximize its monopolistic power, using XP as a platform to enter new lines of business while encumbering competitors," Schumer said.
In response, Microsoft released a statement saying the company "does not believe the complaints of AOL and Kodak merit a Congressional Hearing."
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