Gates gives evidence in antitrust probe

Bill Gates faces federal investigators today on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington. The deposition is closed to the press, but news agencies are fighting to have the proceedings made public later.

Gates' deposition follows those of Intel executives over the past few weeks. A New York Times report claims the subpoenaed memos detail a heated meeting in August 1995 between Intel and Microsoft executives.

According to the report, one memo portrays Gates as angry about Intel's Internet investments, and says he threatened to support Intel's competitors. The report adds that Microsoft was particularly concerned about Intel's plans to build a software engine for Java that would have threatened Windows' dominance.

The investigators are looking for a pattern of unfair business practices that they allege Microsoft has used to strong-arm its competitors. Netscape Communications is the main complainant, saying Microsoft has used its near-monopoly on the desktop for a takeover of the Internet browser market.

The case is scheduled to go to trial on 23 September.