Bill Gates
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Yes. So do you know the technicality that was discovered?
Of course. It was discovered later in June 2000 that Judge Jackson had secretly been meeting with reporters in his chambers before the rulings were delivered. It's not allowed. And so Judge Jackson was removed from the case. Yes. The reporters all had these embargoed stories they could drop immediately afterwards. And everyone was like, how did you, what? Wow. That's wild. Yeah.
Of course. It was discovered later in June 2000 that Judge Jackson had secretly been meeting with reporters in his chambers before the rulings were delivered. It's not allowed. And so Judge Jackson was removed from the case. Yes. The reporters all had these embargoed stories they could drop immediately afterwards. And everyone was like, how did you, what? Wow. That's wild. Yeah.
So this is June of 2000, by the way. The appeal then takes a long time. So there's a meaningful moment in history, I think about 15, 16 months, where the official ruling is Microsoft should be going through the preparations to do their breakup.
So this is June of 2000, by the way. The appeal then takes a long time. So there's a meaningful moment in history, I think about 15, 16 months, where the official ruling is Microsoft should be going through the preparations to do their breakup.
Especially 9-11 happens, and then I think that's a galvanizing factor to pull the parties into the room and say, hey, this has gone on too long, and we need to put this behind us.
Especially 9-11 happens, and then I think that's a galvanizing factor to pull the parties into the room and say, hey, this has gone on too long, and we need to put this behind us.
Also, can we just say, this case is brought against Windows 95, Windows 98 comes out, and then before we have a resolution, Windows XP comes out.
Also, can we just say, this case is brought against Windows 95, Windows 98 comes out, and then before we have a resolution, Windows XP comes out.
But, like, insane, right? And the whole time, Internet Explorer shipping with Windows.
But, like, insane, right? And the whole time, Internet Explorer shipping with Windows.
So November 2nd, 2001, the settlement is proposed. At this moment in time, Internet Explorer has right around 90% market share.
So November 2nd, 2001, the settlement is proposed. At this moment in time, Internet Explorer has right around 90% market share.
Right, an innovative company that built the most important product for that technology phase. Meanwhile, there's this whole new thing going on with the internet, and we need to figure out how to legally navigate that transition.
Right, an innovative company that built the most important product for that technology phase. Meanwhile, there's this whole new thing going on with the internet, and we need to figure out how to legally navigate that transition.
Right. So 2002, the settlement is finally approved. It reverses the order to be split up. Obviously, Microsoft is still one company. Officially, the ruling that Microsoft did indeed have a monopoly is upheld. They put in place a five-year consent decree, and the terms are that Microsoft is not allowed to enter into contracts with PC makers that excluded competitors. I mean, fine.
Right. So 2002, the settlement is finally approved. It reverses the order to be split up. Obviously, Microsoft is still one company. Officially, the ruling that Microsoft did indeed have a monopoly is upheld. They put in place a five-year consent decree, and the terms are that Microsoft is not allowed to enter into contracts with PC makers that excluded competitors. I mean, fine.
Two, Windows had to be interoperable with non-Microsoft software, which, of course, it does.