AOL exec asks Kollar-Kotelly to order up 'Windows Light'

America Online, along with several other companies had planned to bring a 'Harry Potter' computer for children into the market. But, IBM refused to allow its Windows OS to be incorporated, killing the project.

John Borthwick, VP, AOL showed pictures of a prototype of the machine to Federal District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. Borthwick used the Lego block-like system to illustrate that if the Judge orders Microsoft to release a stripped-down version of Windows, companies would bring all sorts of innovative computing devices to market.

''Such products could increase customer choice, promote innovation, and foster the distribution of non-Microsoft software and applications,'' Borthwick said.

He added that Compaq, Dell and HP are interested in making computers that run Microsoft's operating system but look dramatically different. However, Microsoft has used its Windows licensing contracts to block those powerful companies from marketing such devices.

Microsoft is strongly opposed to having to circulate a stripped-down version of Windows saying it would harm Microsoft's reputation. ''No matter how crummy the customized version of Windows is, and used Microsoft's trademark, there's nothing Microsoft could do about it," protested Richard Pepperman, Microsoft lawyer.

Borthwick also testified that Microsoft is using its Passport online authentication and identification system to gain an unfair advantage over competing solutions such as AOL's Magic Carpet. In Windows XP, the computer constantly reminds users to sign up for Passport. ''Once an XP user has signed up for Passport, that user is automatically authenticated into Microsoft's services making it less likely that he or she will sign up for non-Microsoft products or services,'' Borthwick said.

SV News Service

Washington