Mark Murray, a spokesman for Washington-based Microsoft, denied the allegation. According to Attorney General Dan Morales, a provision in Microsoft's contracts with computer makers that use its operating software requires those companies to inform Microsoft before providing any information to state and federal investigators. Morales said that provision has hampered his office's investigation of Microsoft. The computer industry giant already faces federal antitrust charges for requiring computer manufacturers using its Windows 95 operating system to include its Internet browsing software on their machines. That could make it more difficult for other companies to sell their Internet browsers, the U.S. Justice Department has said.
Internet browsers enables computers to locate information on the Internet.
More than 80 percent of personal computers use Windows operating systems. Microsoft's chief competition in the Internet browser industry, Netscape Navigator, controls 62 percent of that market. A hearing was set for Nov. 24. Murray said non-disclosure agreements are standard in the computer industry. He said the purpose is to protect Microsoft's software, not to interfere with government investigations.