MS trial: Is it integrated or bundled?

The Microsoft antitrust trial resumed on Monday with both sides arguing over Internet Explorer: Is it bundled or integrated with Windows? EdwardFelton, an educator from Princeton University, took the stand for the government, asserting that IE is simply bundled with Windows but made toappear integrated by replacing key system files with files from IE. Microsoft lawyer David Heiener was badgerng Felton over his definition ofthe way Windows and IE work together when Judge Jackson interrupted angrily.

"You are playing word games [Mr. Heiener]. [Felton] has told you at least adozen times and maybe more that there is code in each of the files, some ofwhich is unrelated to browser functionality. If you continue this [line ofquestioning] in the hopes that he will make a slip of the lip I don't thinkit is an appropriate cross-examination," Jackson said. "To pursue this lineof questioning simply appears to be inviting him to make a careless mistake."

Felton says that Microsoft could easily remove Internt Explorer from Windows but chooses not to because they are trying to remove the Netscapethreat. He said that he and two graduate students wrote a small programthat removes the Web browsing functionality from Windows 98 without damaging the operating system at all.

"There is absolutely no technological justification for what Microsoft did", said DOJ David Boies later. "They did it, purely and simply, to prevent customer choice. There is no plausible efficiency justification forwhat Microsoft has done."

Naturally, Microsoft doesn't see it that way. The company says that Felton's program simply removes functionality from Windows, but doesn'tactually remove the Internet Explorer code from the OS. This isn't a benefit to anyone, the company argues.

"You cannot remove the Web browsing software in Windows 98," said Microsoftspokesperson Mike Murray.

"The idea here is not to take away the choice of a user to use Internet Explorer 4, it's to restore choice to use an alternative Web browser," saidFelten under cross-examination