Exhibit 9 To The Comments Of Relpromax Antitrust Inc.

The Honorable John Ashcroft
U.S. Attorney General
Department of Justice
Tenth Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

Mr. Steve Hallmer
Chief Executive Officer
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052

The Honorable Tom Miller
Iowa Attorney General
Department of Justice
1305 E. Walnut Street
Des Mones, IA 50319

Dear Sirs:

Following the recent Court of Appeals decision, we are pleased that all sides in the Microsoft antitrust litigation have begun settlement discussions. Today we write to encourage these discussions with the hope that a settlement can be reached at the earliest possible date and on reasonable terms that support competition and innovation.

Antitrust enforcement should be about protecting the American consumers, not deciding ?? and loacers among wealthy competitors. Now is the time for all parties to the litigation to address the remaining issues and provide some finality that protects consumers and allows the American high-tech industry to innovate an prospect. This industry offers extraordinary promise to ?? exciting new technologies to the American consumer and the global marketplace, and the resolution of this protracted litigation will greatly serve to further that goal.

While not expressing a view on the merits, we respectfully urge all parties to reach a just and speedy conclusions to this case.

Best Regards,

Signatories Of Letter In Favor Of Settlement