Washington, D.C. – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today responded to a New York Times report of a complaint regarding Microsoft’s new Windows Vista operating system by Google. 

Although it was reported in November 2006 that a formal complaint had been lodged against Microsoft, The New York Times revealed today that the complaint emanated from Google.  According to The Times, Google is accusing Microsoft of violating the 2002 antitrust settlement by not allowing users to turn off Windows Vista’s desktop search program.  Google contends that when its own search program is run concurrently with Windows Vista’s built-in engine, computer performance is slowed significantly, and the consumer’s use of Google’s product is thereby impeded.    

“If The New York Times’ characterizations of the leaked complaint are accurate, then Google’s actions are short-sighted.  Inviting the federal government to intrude into issues which are about competition in the technology sector has potentially damaging ramifications to Google and the whole technology sector,” said CAGW President Thomas A. Schatz.

“The Windows Vista operating system has been the subject of ongoing conversations between Microsoft and the government since 2004 and has not been found in violation of the consent decree.  There are some individuals, such as Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt, who consistently look to the government to give their companies a competitive edge in the marketplace.  Google should not be wasting the taxpayers’ money by having the Justice Department embark on yet another wild goose chase,” said Schatz.

Before the unveiling of Windows Vista, an independent panel representing state and federal officials thoroughly reviewed the product to ensure compliance with the antitrust settlement.   Microsoft worked with the committee and other companies to address concerns.

“The government has already spent $30 to $60 million of taxpayer money to arrive at the consent decree and any future regulation by litigation will only cost taxpayers more money and stifle innovation,” Schatz continued.

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse in government.