Microsoft will not join Senate hearing

Saying they have already "gone the extra mile," officials from Microsoftdeclined an invitation to join the U.S. Senate's second hearing on anti-competitive business practices in the computer industry. Microsoftspokesman Adam Sohn says the company has already briefed committee membersand answered numerous questions.

"[Given Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch's] continued attacks on Microsoft, it is not clear that any additional testimony from the company will serveany useful purpose," he said. Hatch has routinely criticized the companyfor its business practices.

Now that Microsoft is bowing out of the hearing, it's destined to turn intoanother Ralph Nader-style Microsoft bashing session. Scheduled to appearis long-time Microsoft hater Larry Ellison, along with Sybase chairman andCEO Mitchell Kertzman, and Lotus CEO Jeff Papows