Oracle Admits to Investigating Microsoft Allies

CEO Larry Ellison admitted that Oracle had used the detective firm Investigative Group International (IGI) to probe several organizations supportive of Microsoft’s position in the Department of Justice (DoJ) antitrust case. The probes, which utilized unsavory-but not illegal-techniques, such as rummaging through trash, uncovered information regarding Microsoft’s contributions to the targeted organizations, referred to as “Microsoft front groups” by Ellison in his official “apology.” The Microsoft contribution figures were later publicly disclosed with the help of Washington public relations firm Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates in an attempt to embarrass Microsoft and cast doubt on each organization’s stated independence.

Organizations Probed

Oracle’s probe targeted four organizations. Three are nonprofit, conservative think-tank organizations-all founded well before the DoJ’s antitrust case against Microsoft was initiated-that issue commentary on a wide range of economic issues beyond the government’s antitrust case. The fourth is an organization started in 1998 devoted exclusively to high-tech policy issues.