Statement By Attorney General Eliot Spitzer Regarding The Decision In The Microsoft Case

Today's decision should come as no surprise based on Microsoft's well-documented record of anti-competitive behavior in the personal computer operating systems market.

We are pleased that Judge Jackson decided to adopt our proposed remedy. Under this plan, Microsoft will be reorganized into two separate, competing companies, with one part owning the operating systems and the other part owning applications businesses.

This development is very good for consumers because it will stimulate competition in the marketplace.

The breakup will restore vitality to a market monopolized by Microsoft, and spur innovation and the development of new software products. Just as we witnessed with the breakup of AT&T in the early 1980s, I expect a similar explosion of consumer choices and technological development.