“Microsoft lawyers warned of possible illegalities in trying
to keep competing software off IBM computers.”
“IN SETTING UP the meeting with IBM executive Garry Norris, who
is testifying as a key government witness, Ted Hannum, a Microsoft
official, warned the “secret meeting” should be held with as few
people as possible from either company, Norris said. During the
phone call with Norris, Hannum mentioned that Microsoft’s own
lawyers cautioned that the discussions might cross the line of what
is called “horizontal restraint,” which is an illegal activity that
amounts to preventing a competitor from offering its product.”