Chief antitruster: The Tipline for 27 January 2021

Former Hogan & Hartson partner John Roberts turns 66 today. Two decades ago, Roberts represented 19 states before the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in US v Microsoft. During oral arguments in February 2001, the court speculated that Microsoft might need to tie its operating system to Internet Explorer because Netscape controlled 80% of the web browser market. “But that's always the case when there are barriers to entry,” Roberts said. “That doesn't mean that they're free to engage in what constitutes illegal conduct under section 1 of the Sherman Act.” Four years later, Roberts assumed the position of Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court.