The San Jose Mercury News received a copy of an e-mail from Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, to all employees. It contains several brazen falsehoods — including the claim that the appeals court found the company guilty only of “individual actions” that were anticompetitive, when the truth is that the court found systematic violations.
Nonetheless, it’s worth reading to see that the basic Microsoft mindset is intact. (Note — if this letter wasn’t intended to be leaked to the media, then I’m Bill Gates.)
From: Steve Ballmer
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 5:21 PM
To: Microsoft and Subsidiaries: All FTE
Subject: What the U.S. Appeals Court Ruling MeansAs you know, the U.S. Court of Appeals issued its decision today in the antitrust case between Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice and the 19 states.
While the decision is mixed, it is largely positive for the company and drastically narrows the scope of the case. It lifts the cloud of breakup, reverses the tying claim, and clearly states that we did not attempt to monopolize the browser market.
Most importantly, the Court ruling includes a great deal of language that supports our ability to innovate and bring together the best of the PC, the Internet and exciting new services and technologies for customers. Billg and I will be discussing the court ruling and its implications at a virtual company meeting on Friday, June 28, at 12 p.m. PDT. Details are below, and I hope you