MIT 6.805/STS085: Ethics and Law on the Electronic Frontier
in coordination with
Harvard Law School: Internet and Society
Fall Semester, 1999
Week 14, Dec. 6 - Dec. 10:
What to do about Microsoft?
What can you do next?
On Tuesday, we'll talk about the Microsoft case and, in particular,
what the Department of Justice should ask for as a remedy,
should Judge Jackson rule that Microsoft violated the anti-trust
laws. That is, if you think that Microsoft is a monopoly that has
abused its monopoly power, what should be done about it? Please come
to class with at least one suggestion.
On Thursday, Danny will ask you to reflect broadly on the issues
we've covered this semester.
Readings for Tuesday (be prepared to discuss these in class):
- Eben Moglin,
Microsoft's Fatal Error, The Nation, November 29, 1999.
-
Which remedies?: Appraising Microsoft. This a transcript of a
workshop held in Washington, DC, on April 30, 1999. It's pretty long,
so you may want to just skim it for interesting ideas.
- Jonathan Zittrain,
The Right Microsoft Remedy -- and Beyond,
IntellectualCapitol.com, November 18, 1999. Read the
comments as well as the article.
-
U.S. v. Microsoft This is the government's brief in
response to the judge's findings of fact, argueing that Microsoft
violated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. I listed it here because it was
filed today (December 6, 1999). Just glance at it.
Tuesday class, Dec. 7: What to do about Microsoft?
Come to class prepared with at least one suggestion for what the
government should ask for by way of a remedy.
Thursday class, Dec. 9: Last class -- Putting it all together?
The final class will be a wrap-up of the questions that we've discussed
during the semester by discussing what we each believe we can do to have a
real effect on the issues we've looked at since September. Perhaps you
have an idea how to use your technical skills to build some code that will
change the world. Or, you may want to put your technical skills to work by
helping public policy decisionmakers understand issues better.
Required assignment for every student:
There is no reading required for this class, be each member of the class
will be required to speak for two minutes about his or her thoughts on how
to have some real world impact on one or more of the issues we've
discussed. This means you have to attend the class and be prepared to speak
intelligently and briefly about your plans for the future.
Return to course calendar
Return to course home page
Hal Abelson (hal@mit.edu)
Mike Fischer (mfischer@mit.edu)
Danny Weitzner (djweitzner@w3.org)
Jonathan Zittrain (zittrain@law.harvard.edu)
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Last modified: December 6 1999, 7:00 PM