Oracle made its opinion clear when it commented that, “left undisclosed, these Microsoft front groups could have improperly influenced the outcome of one of the most important antitrust cases in US history”. The company’s chief executive Larry Ellison has alleged that its actions were justifiable because it uncovered organisations set up specifically by Microsoft to help win its antitrust case. Oracle claims that these groups include the Independent Institute which recently circulated a newspaper advertisement signed by 240 economists and academics opposing the break up of Microsoft.
However, Oracle’s actions have been strongly criticised as “despicable” by the president of the Association for Competitive Technology who is considering taking legal action. The president of the Independent Institute David Theroux commented that “Oracle has apparently felt the need to employ back-alley tactics, subterfuge and disinformation in order to achieve its aims”.
Microsoft has also taken a stance against its competitor, stating “Oracle apparently believes its business goals are more important than the free speech and privacy rights of others”. The company added, “The only thing more disturbing than Oracle’s behaviour is their ongoing attempt to justify these actions.”