Oracle action might be tip of iceberg: MS

SEATTLE: Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday lashed out at rival software maker Oracle Corp. over its admission that it hired private detectives to investigate groups supporting Microsoft, saying it could be just one of a string of anti-Microsoft activities. "These published reports may only be the tip of the iceberg of their activities," Microsoft said without elaborating.

Oracle on Tuesday acknowledged that it hired Investigation Group to look into the activities of the Independent Institute and the National Taxpayers Union to try to uncover their links to Microsoft amid Microsoft's antitrust trial.

"Oracle's attacks on trade associations and public policy groups are disingenuous and hypocritical," Microsoft said, adding that Oracle had backed several trade groups critical of Microsoft. "Oracle apparently believes its business goals are more important than the free speech and privacy rights of others."

The issue came to light earlier this month when newspaper reports said private investigators had tried to pay janitors for garbage from offices of the two groups.

(C) Reuters Limited 2000.