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Computer & Communications Industry Association collection of IBM antitrust trial records

Creation: 1969-1982
 Collection
Accession: 1912

Abstract

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) was involved in duplicating and making available court documents of interest to their members. CCIA assembled documents, assigned their own numbering scheme, and in some cases created microfiche copies of the records. The IBM antitrust trial records consists of CCIA photocopies and microfiche copies of trial transcripts, trial exhibits, depositions, legal memoranda, motions, subpoenas, and other documents relating to antitrust suits brought against IBM throughout the 1970s.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969-1982

Creator

Extent

90 Linear Feet

General Physical Description note

90 linear feet, 945 microfiche

Historical Note

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) was involved in duplicating and making available court documents of interest to their members. The CCIA assembled the documents, assigned their own numbering scheme, and in some cases created microfiche copies of the records. Most of these relate to antitrust suits brought against IBM throughout the 1970s.

The U.S. Department of Justice began preliminary inquiries in 1964 into possible antitrust violations on the part of IBM. This was to become the longest and most complex of the antitrust suits brought IBM. The company had previously weathered antitrust actions filed by the Justice Department -- in 1932 for the practice of typing arrangements, a violation of the Clayton Act, and in 1952 on the charge that IBM was guilty of infractions of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, monopolizing interstate trade and commerce in the tabulating machine industry. IBM then moved into the electronic data processing market with the same aggressiveness it had demonstrated in the punched-card tabulating machine business. As an industry giant with a reputation for monopolizing any market it chose to enter, IBM's activities in the computer industry were generally mistrusted by both the government and its competition.

The principal case documented by this collection was filed in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York on January 17, 1969. The Justice Department alleged that IBM was again in violation of the Sherman Act in the general purpose digital computer systems market. The case went to trial on May 19, 1975, with Judge David N. Edelstein presiding. On January 1982, Assistant Attorney General William F. Baxter concluded that the case against IBM was without merit and signed a stipulation of dismissal.

Arrangement

Within each trial series the records are arranged into transcripts, court documents, exhibits, and miscellaneous CCIA materials. Trial transcripts are in chronological order. Other series follow a filing system imposed by CCIA or are arranged with court documents in numeric order.

Scope and Content

Photocopies and microfiche of trial transcripts, trial exhibits, depositions, legal memoranda, motions, subpoenas, and other documents relating to U.S. v. IBM, Control Data v. IBM, Greyhound Computer Leasing v. IBM, Telex v. IBM, CalComp v. IBM and IBM v. Catamore Enterprises. The transcript of the trial proceedings and the collection of court exhibits provide a record that brings together a wealth of detailed documentary evidence on the electronic data processing industry in the 1960s and 1970s.

Technical research priorities, product development decisions, marketing and sales practices, and maintenance and service arrangements for many firms in the computer industry are to be found in the trial record. Much of the voluminous evidence presented by both parties was drawn from IBM's internal correspondence and files. Many other systems and components manufacturers also presented testimony. The court documents additionally incorporate extensive hearing transcripts, testimony and memoranda concerning important legal and economic issues, e.g., measurement of market share, pertinent to the case and to antitrust law in general. Some items are missing from the collection. Many documents and exhibits, however, were presented as evidence in more than one of the cases and documents not found in one trial's record may be located in another trial in the collection.

The impact of these antitrust cases extends beyond the computer or data processing industries. These cases have generated much debate about questions raised by monopoly charges -- the definition of market share, the distinction between competitive and predatory behavior, and the problems associated with prosecuting the charge of "intent" to monopolize trade. As these issues are likely to be the focus of important discussions among jurists, economists, and many in business, the documentary evidence contained in this collection will be valuable resource for those interested in this crucial aspect of American business.

Location of Originals

Original photoprint and microfiche are located in Washington, DC at the Computer & Communications Industry Association headquarters.

Location of Duplicates

Duplicate trial records located at Charles Babbage Institute, 103 Walter Library, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455.

Access Restrictions

Limited sections of the trial transcript and some exhibits were closed by the court and are not available for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Related Material

Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455

IBM Antitrust Suit Records (Accession 1980), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Provenance

Gift of the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA)

Bibliography

Nash, Michael. Computers, Automation, and Cybernetics at the Hagley Museum and Library (Greenville, Del.: Hagley Museum and Library, 1989)Computer & Communications Industry Association (U.S.). Agency history record. (CStRLIN)DEHV87-​A35

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Computer & Communications Industry Association collection of IBM antitrust trial records
Author:
Gail P. Dunleavy
Date:
1988
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400