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Events on Saturday 17 January 1970 1
1970IBM antitrust case — 13 years of litigationThe US Department of Justice files an antitrust suit against IBM on 17 January 1969, alleging it monopolises the computer industry. The case is the longest antitrust litigation in US history — the government finally drops it in January 1982 after 13 years, declaring it 'without merit.' But the threat of breakup constrains IBM's behaviour throughout the 1970s and contributes to its fateful decision to use outside suppliers (Microsoft, Intel) for the IBM PC rather than developing proprietary technology that might invite further antitrust action.