BRUSSELS, Nov. 13, 2003 — In a statement today Brad Smith, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Microsoft Corp., made the following remarks:
“Over the past day and a half, we have given our perspective, providing information on things like multimedia technology and interoperability. We think it’s been a very helpful and constructive exchange and we hope it’s been helpful to the people who need to make these decisions.
“Over the next day and a half, we’ll be hearing our competitors make their points. We are obviously familiar with their arguments but we do look forward to hearing them first-hand.
“I do really want to underscore one point, which is that we have come to Brussels not only to discuss the issues but to work things out.
“We have a high responsibility as a company and we are committed to living up to that responsibility and working in a collaborative way with people in government and with the rest of our industry. We really do look forward, not just to the next day and a half, but to the weeks that follow, and we will bring to these weeks a great sense of energy and creativity to explore every possible way to come to solutions to the questions and concerns that people may have.
“It is a confidential proceeding as you know, so I really can’t talk about what we or others are saying inside the room, and as result, I’m sorry but I am really not in a position to answer any of your questions.
“Thank you very much.”
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