Hearings Detail Fears Of Microsoft

Fears that Microsoft Corp.’s diverse investments in Internet businesses could dominate the emerging industry underscored a Senate Judiciary hearing Tuesday on competition in cyberspace.

“I have not made any secret of the fact that I have serious concerns about Microsoft’s recent efforts to exercise its monopoly power, and that I plan to continue to examine the company’s practices,” said Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Although the loosely focused hearing wasn’t technically about Microsoft, Hatch’s comments set the tone for a broader debate about the company’s market power. Microsoft’s Windows operating software runs 80 percent of personal computers.

Hatch’s state is home to Provo-based Novell Inc., which employs nearly 6,000 people and is a major competitor of Microsoft. Hatch said he may hold hearings specifically on Microsoft in the future, but didn’t provide details.

Microsoft offered to testify at the hearing but wasn’t allowed to appear, company officials said.