Intuit boss attacks MS over OS access

William Harris, president and chief executive of Intuit, has dealt another blow to Microsoft in its anti-trust case.

He accused the software giant of exclusionary and discriminatory behaviour involving access to the operating system for developers.

Harris proposed that the courts ensure equal access to the operating system for all PC developers, along with internet publishers.

In his testimony, which was released this week, Harris stated: 'Since the operating system is essential for computing and the Windows operating system is dominant, it would be beneficial for all users to have equal access.'

The proposal was seen as part of a remedy the US government would seek should the DoJ win its case - to stop Microsoft's bullying tactics without destroying the firm.

Microsoft issued a rebuttal claiming the testimony was 'rife with rank speculations' and was based on 'half-baked analyses'.

Meanwhile, in a separate action, Microsoft has taken two Texans to court over an alleged misuse of its company name.

Kurtis Karr and Kenny Brewer had registered the internet domain names microsoftwindows.com and microsoftoffice.com for their Websites. Microsoft claimed the 'use of the domain names is deliberately designed to be confusing to consumers and is a violation of federal and state trademark law'.