Angie Craig: “Judge Learned Hand once observed: ``The successful competitor, having been urged to compete, must not be turned upon…”

“Judge Learned Hand once observed: ``The successful competitor, having been urged to compete, must not be turned upon when he wins.'' For Microsoft and the rest of our domestic high-tech industry, it may be too late to heed Judge Hand's warning. Whatever justification the Justice Department used for its actions against Microsoft, the real measure of success in the Microsoft case is how it affects American consumers and the American economy. From their perspective, the verdict is clear: The Justice Department's suit against Microsoft is bad for consumers, bad for high-tech markets, and bad for the country. Mr. President, our anti-trust laws are unlike health and safety regulations. Their purpose isn't to protect the physical well being of citizens, but rather their pocketbooks. Like other forms of economic regulation, a successful effort requires two conditions. First, there must exist a market failure. Second, the government must be in a position to fix that market failure. The case against Microsoft fails both conditions. Our domestic computer markets are working just fine.…”