By rights, mighty microsoft Corp. shouldn't have a care in the world. The company's stock is at record highs and customers are happy. And last summer the company escaped round one in a federal antitrust suit with barely a slap on the wrista decision that's still under review by a higher court. Yet storm clouds glower on this otherwise sunny horizon. Microsoft recently lost round two in its ongoing battle against the Justice Department, dropping a high-profile bid to acquire Intuit Inc., the leader in personal financial software. Now comes round three, perhaps the toughest yet. The latest controversy concerns Microsoft Network, a new online service offering everything from NBC news and sports to e-mail and home shopping. Microsoft plans to introduce the product in August—and both the Feds and other on-liners are worried. The Justice Department is already investigating complaints the Microsoft Network will put the company in position to take over the emerging new markets in electronic commerce and communications—the fastest-growing segment of the computer industry. "What's the more serious threat, the Intuit merger or the Microsoft Network?" asks Brian Ek of Prodigy. "The Microsoft Network by far. It has the potential to limit the online landscape to one."
展开▼
