Empresas y finanzas

Platform Solutions, Inc. Files Anti-Trust Claims Against IBM



    In a written response to an earlier lawsuit by IBM(R), Platform
    Solutions, Inc. (PSI) announced today that it has filed its own claims
    against IBM in the United States District Court for the Southern
    District of New York alleging antitrust violations, unfair
    competition, and business torts. In its response, PSI also strongly
    denied IBM's claims.

    PSI's response is based on IBM's efforts to maintain its monopoly
    power and to prevent the development of a competitive alternative to
    IBM's mainframe products. The company is seeking damages based on the
    harm that IBM's conduct has caused and is causing to PSI, as well as
    an injunction and/or remedies to prevent IBM from harming PSI in the
    future.

    "PSI believes it has a compelling legal position and that it will
    prevail in court," said Christian Reilly, vice president product
    management and marketing. "This conflict is really all about the
    fundamental values of consumer choice and competition benefiting
    customers throughout the world who use mainframe computers to run and
    manage mission-critical applications."

    This case has broad implications because mainframe computers are
    essential for all key industries in our economy. Because the last
    remaining competing manufacturers of "plug-compatible mainframes"
    exited the market in 2000, PSI's products provide the only viable
    alternative to IBM -- in a market where IBM has held a monopoly
    position for decades.

    "IBM's lawsuit against PSI is part of a concerted effort to
    eliminate competition for mainframe computers, and its refusal to
    provide the operating systems needed to run mainframe computers to PSI
    customers is blatantly anti-competitive," Reilly said. "IBM's claims
    also reflect a reversal of its long-standing practice of licensing its
    intellectual property on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms -- a
    policy that it trumpeted on its web site until last year. What IBM is
    trying to do here would be the equivalent to a hypothetical situation
    in which Microsoft had monopoly power in the markets for both PC's and
    PC operating systems and then refused to license Windows(R) to HP(R),
    Dell(R), or other PC manufacturers to maintain and sustain its
    monopoly position."

    Reilly additionally stated that, "IBM's predatory business
    practices have affected our company, but PSI's open mainframe
    computers have been well received by customers who value us as the
    only alternative supplier in the marketplace."

    In today's counterclaims PSI alleges that IBM has committed
    extensive anticompetitive practices, including the following:

    -- Tying its mainframe operating systems to its mainframe
    computers by conditioning sales of its operating systems on
    the purchase or continued use of only those IBM-compatible
    mainframe computers that are manufactured by IBM;

    -- Refusing to supply its operating systems to end-user customers
    who choose to purchase PSI's IBM-compatible mainframe computer
    systems;

    -- Restricting PSI's access to interface information and
    specifications needed to remain compatible with IBM's
    operating systems;

    -- Unreasonably discontinuing its long-standing practice of
    licensing any applicable intellectual property rights on
    reasonable and non-discriminatory terms;

    -- Disseminating Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt concerning the
    reliability, compatibility and viability of PSI's products;
    and

    -- Interfering with PSI's ability to complete fundamental
    transactions with its business partners.

    "PSI is determined to return competition to the marketplace and
    will vigorously fight and defend our right to provide customers with
    choice," Reilly said.

    About PSI

    Platform Solutions, Inc., (PSI) develops Open Mainframe
    Computers(TM) compatible with the broadest set of datacenter
    environments and operating systems, including IBM z/OS(R). The new PSI
    systems are based on proven systems architecture spun-off from Amdahl
    Corporation and industry standard Dual-Core Intel(R) Itanium(R) 2
    processor technology, and provide customers true choice and
    flexibility in mainframe computing. The company was launched in 2003
    and is funded by leading venture and strategic investors, including
    Blueprint Ventures, Goldman Sachs, Intel Capital, Interwest, and
    Investcorp. The company is based in Sunnyvale, California.

    For more information please visit www.platform-solutions.com.