Sen. Hatch Announces More Microsoft Hearings

(June 29, 1998)  Microsoft's leading critic in the U.S. Senate, Orrin Hatch (R-UT), attacked the software company on Friday, and stated that he intends to hold more hearings about Microsoft's business practices.

"I believe it is clear that the issue is about much more than just the browser.   It is about whether one company will be able to exploit its current monopoly in order to control access to, and commerce on, the Internet," said Sen. Orrin Hatch.

"So, when we return from the July recess, I plan to hold further hearings on competition in the digital age," said Hatch, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  "In particular, I plan for the Committee to examine market practices and developments in the so-called "enterprise" or back office software market, and more generally to examine practices and developments affecting access to, and transactions on the Internet. Specific hearing dates and witness lists win be released when finalized."

Hatch went on to criticize Microsoft for using public relations.  "Microsoft has, regrettably, seen fit to deploy a massive pr campaign grounded in spin control and misdirection, as opposed to engaging the American public, on the basis of the facts and the merits."  Hatch made his statement after most Senators, but few journalists, had left town for the 4th of July recess.

Hatch also criticized Microsoft for trying to "use the appropriations process to 'go on the offensive' and seek to restrain a federal law enforcement agency."

Hatch also went on to accuse Microsoft of not having been forthright in its statements to the Judiciary Committee.

Hatch concluded by stating that "I plan to give Microsoft a fair opportunity to be heard on these issues. But I think they should be heard on the record, rather than through carefully orchestrated, multi-million dollar pr campaigns that are more concerned with blurring the true facts than explaining them. So I hope that, when given the opportunity to be heard on the record, Microsoft chooses to be somewhat more candid with the American people than it has to date."