Coalition Formed to Fight Government Regulation of High-Tech Industries

(August 27, 1998)  A group of computer industry companies has formed the Technology Access Action Coalition (TAAC) to combat government regulation of high-tech industries that inhibits innovation and growth, such as the recent DOJ and FTC actions against Microsoft and Intel.  The group is chaired by Vanstar President, Jay Amato.

"Recent actions against Microsoft and Intel are symptomatic of the growing trend toward government over-regulation of technology," Amato said in a press release. "To combat this, our coalition will be a tireless, relentless force working to protect and preserve innovation in our industry. We plan on having over 2 million members by 2001 with members in every congressional district in the country."

However, according to Technology Access Action Coalition spokesman, Colleen White, the coalition has not yet developed any plans regarding the coalition or its members making campaign contributions to influence the government.

The Department of Justice brought a much publicized second lawsuit against Microsoft in May which alleges violation of antitrust laws.   The trial is scheduled to begin on September 23.  The DOJ may yet bring a third lawsuit, alleging further antitrust violations.

The Federal Trade Commission brought an administrative antitrust action in June against Intel alleging illegal monopolistic behavior in refusing to deal with three customers in order to coerce them into surrendering certain intellectual property rights.  That matter is scheduled to be tried before an FTC judge in January of 1999.

"If the government continues down its current path, the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the technology industry will be severely jeopardized. The real losers will be the consumers," added Amato.  "Innovation has led to better, faster, cheaper tools and solutions. We stand here today announcing our intent to work to preserve the right to innovate, to preserve choice, to preserve continued economic growth."

"The driving force of our national economy, the U.S. technology industry, is threatened not just by international competition or unstable world markets – but also by the prospect of unnecessary and stifling interference from its own government," said Amato.

Earlier this year another group, named ProComp, was formed to lobby for further government regulation of Microsoft.

The TAAC Steering Committee is made up of Jay S. Amato (Chairman of TAAC), President and Chief Operating Officer, Vanstar; Hal Compton, Executive Vice President, CompUSA, and President, CompUSA Stores; Wayne Wilson, President and CEO, PC Connection; and Howard Diamond, CEO, Corporate Software & Technology, Inc.

The founding members of TAAC include ASCII Group, Computing Technology Industry Association, CompUSA, Corporate Software and Technology, MicroAge, Microsoft, PC Connection, and Vanstar Corporation.