Gates’ Iowa trip cancelled
p2pnet.net News:- Microsoft boss Bill Gates won’t, after all, soon be gracing Iowa with his presence. At least, not in January, as expected.
Jurors hearing a class-action anti-trust case were told they’d learn, “unflattering things” about the company and Gates, and that he’d probably testify.
Roxanne Conlin won a judge’s ruling which would have forced Gates and Ballmer to travel to Des Moines for direct questioning, “even though the two executives were expected to testify later in the case when Microsoft presents its defense,” says Associated Press.
But Conlin says Chairman Bill and Ballmer won’t be called as witnesses, “to avoid any potential confusion by jurors”.
The lawsuit claims Microsoft violated Iowa’s competition laws and seeks about $330 million for Iowans who have purchased the software maker’s products since 1994, says the story.
It originally filed in 2000, “after federal antitrust actions against Microsoft were settled,” says AP, going on that the case has already been before the Iowa Supreme Court three times on various legal issues and been sent back to Polk County District Court for trial.
“Conlin will be allowed to play a 10-hour unflattering 1998 deposition by Gates from another lawsuit that shows a fidgety, nervous looking chief executive.,” says AP, adding:
“She has said the videotape will give jurors, ‘good insight into the motivation and business practices of Microsoft’.”
Also See:
gracing Iowa – Gates may testifty in Iowa case, December 4, 2006
Associated Press – Plaintiffs in Microsoft case won’t call Gates, December 4, 2006
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