Before we sat down to negotiate this degree, the government had subpoenaed documents that showed Microsoft had begun including integrated Internet technology into Windows 95 as early as the fall of 1993.

Everyone can see that Microsoft does not live the quiet life of a so-called monopolist.

The matter before the court was whether Microsoft could be held in contempt for violating a consent decree entered in 1995. The court denied the Justice Department's petition for contempt; the case should have ended there. But on its own initiative, the court proceeded to treat the matter as a tying case and, without giving Microsoft notice or an opportunity to defend itself, issued a preliminary injunction.

This matter is very near an appellate phase where Microsoft will challenge the procedures used, the findings of fact, the conclusions of law, and any remedy entered. We anticipate that we will prevail at the conclusion of the appellate process.

The curtain is coming down on a feeble case presented by the government. In its rush to judgment, the government has failed to stop and learn about the benefits to customers, consumers of the innovation and the low prices that Microsoft has championed and made reality in the PC software marketplace today.

The more time Microsoft has, it makes it harder [for the government] to establish a remedy that would limit Microsoft's flexibility in selling Windows 98, ... Each month that goes by makes it harder to obtain effective relief.