An economist testifying on Monday on behalf of nine states suing Microsoft Corp. for antitrust violations refused to endorse some of the states' proposed sanctions. Economist Carl Shapiro said a provision that would force Microsoft to disclose the blueprints to the access software for its MSN online service is likely to help rival America Online, but perhaps not consumers. Under questioning from Microsoft lawyer Michael Lacovara, Shapiro called the provision an "inappropriate taking of Microsoft's intellectual property."
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