Microsoft In Court To Argue Merits Of Antitrust Settlement

Microsoft Corp. today presents arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., that an antitrust settlement reached last summer with the Justice Department will benefit the public.

U.S. District Judge Stanley Sporkin in February refused to approve the settlement, saying it did not protect the public from the software giant’s dominance in the computer industry.

The deal forced Microsoft to change the way it licenses, or sells, operating system software to personal computer makers.

In other events this week:

Today

Professional secretaries week begins.

Members of the Parking and Business Improvement Area appear at 6 p.m. before the Spokane City Council.

US West regional oversight committee, comprising utility regulators in 14 states, meets in Missoula, Mont., to discuss complaints about telephone company service.

Tuesday

U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt speaks to the Colville Chamber of Commerce.

Seafirst Bank Vice President Mercedes Llanos Martinez conducts a workshop on letters of credit, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Spokane Falls Community College, Building 1, Room 106. Cost: $125. Call 533-4705 or 533-4725.

The Training and Education Coordinating Center holds a seminar on internal auditing under ISO 9000. The class begins at 8 a.m. in the Applied Technology Center, 3939 N. Freya. Cost: $300. Call 533-4705.

Wednesday

Business to Business Expo opens at the Spokane Convention Center, showcasing more than 200 local companies. Dr. Jennifer James speaks at noon. Seminar topics range from ways to sell to the government via electronic media to supply chain management for manufacturers. Call 459-4111 or 624-9285 for more information.

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service and Sterling Savings Association hold a workshop on how to maintain good credit. The free class begins at 6:30 p.m. in the East Central Community Center. Call Michael Hayes, 327-3777, or Robin Comerford at 458-2711, ext. 141.

Thursday

Third annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day.

Ted Sweet, Fairchild Air Force Base procurement representative, explains how to sell products and services at the base to the Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training at 7:30 a.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research & Technical Institute.

American Farm Bureau president Dean Kleckner and state bureau president Steve Appel discuss the 1995 farm bill at 8 a.m. at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park. Cost: $10. Call Maurice Robinette, 509-299-4942.

Annual state meeting of the Future Business Leaders of America opens at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park and the WestCoast Ridpath Hotel.

Friday

Deadline for farmers to sign up for 1995 wheat and feed grains program.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, April 24: Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway is the nation’s most underpaid chief executive, while Michael Eisner of Walt Disney is the most overpaid, according to Business Week’s annual rankings.

Flying high Business service offered at major airports, as compiled by Travel Smart, a newsletter for business travelers: Chicago O’Hare has the Skybird Meeting Center, which has meeting rooms and other business-traveler services. Honolulu International’s business center rents computers and has a laser printer, telephones and workstations. Minneapolis’ airport business center, operated by teleTicket and opened in 1982, has conference rooms with credit-card and speaker phones, secretarial services, and other standard services.