Some argue that the investigation itself made IBM more cautious and that the ultimate displacement of IBM as the industry leader is proof positive that the investigation was not a waste of time and money. The rest of us paid attention. We understand that IBM succeeded in the mainframe market by way of solid innovation. For better or for worse, that spirit of innovation did not extend to the next big thing, the Personal Computer, and IBM's failure was Bill Gates' road ahead. It happened partially because IBM had grown big and slothful, the natural fate of every company that actually wins the market share that all companies strive for.
Cynics say never.
I am less cynical, but I do perceive an absence of innovation coming out of Redmond these days.