U.S. v. Microsoft, 10 Years Later: Who Won, Who Lost, and Did It Matter?

Ten years ago, Microsoft dominated the personal computer market with its ever-expanding operating system. Today, Microsoft is still a formidable company but has re-invigorated rivals (Apple) and unforeseen ones (Google, Facebook).

Did the antitrust enforcement action by the Department of Justice and the resultant settlement make any difference to the way technology evolved? Did the consent decree have its intended results? Our panelists will discuss these questions as well as the effectiveness of antitrust remedies in the rapidly-changing world of computer and communication technology.

Panelists:

• Prof. Phil Malone, Clinical Co-Director and Senior Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard Law School
• Mr. Rick Rule, Partner, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (represented Microsoft in settlement with U.S. Department of Justice)
• Moderator: Hon. Douglas H. Ginsburg, U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit (sat on appellate panel for Microsoft antitrust cases)
• Introduction: Mr. David DeGroot, Special Counsel, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP and President, San Francisco Lawyers Chapter