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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2000
Registration No.
============================================================================
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington 91-1144442
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052-6399
(425) 882-8080
(Address, including zip code, and telephone
number including area code, of registrant's principal
executive office)
Robert A. Eshelman
Deputy General Counsel, Finance and Operations
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052-6399
(425) 882-8080
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications to:
Christopher H. Cunningham
Kevin L. Gruben
Preston Gates & Ellis LLP
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5000
Seattle, Washington 98104-7078
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: At such time
or times after the effective date of this Registration Statement as the Selling
Shareholders shall determine.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.[_]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box.[X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.[_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.[_]
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said section 8(a),
may determine.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE*
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Title of each class Proposed maximum Proposed maximum
of securities to be Amount to be offering price per aggregate offering Amount of
registered registered share* price* registration fee*
------------------- ------------- ------------------ ------------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Shares par
value $.0000125 753,660 shares $54.375 $40,980,262.50 $10,818.79
</TABLE>
* Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for purposes of calculating
amount of registration fee, based upon the average of the high and low prices
reported on October 9, 2000, as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
The Index to Exhibits is located at Page II-5.
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Microsoft
753,660 Shares
Common Stock
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that covers 753,660
shares of common stock of Microsoft. These shares may be offered and sold from
time to time by certain of our shareholders (the "selling shareholders"). We
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the common shares. We will
bear the costs relating to the registration of the common shares, which we
estimate to be $30,000.
The common shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol
MSFT. The average of the high and low prices of the common shares as reported on
the Nasdaq Stock Market on October 9, 2000 was $54.375 per common share.
An investment in Microsoft common stock involves risks. See the section
entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 4.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is October __, 2000.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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The Company.............................................................. 3
Risk Factors............................................................. 4
Use of Proceeds.......................................................... 7
Selling Shareholders and Plan of Distribution............................ 7
Legal Matters............................................................ 8
Experts.................................................................. 8
Where You Can Find More Information...................................... 9
</TABLE>
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. No
one has been authorized to provide you with different information.
The shares of common stock are not being offered in any jurisdiction where
the offer is not permitted.
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the
front of the documents.
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THE COMPANY
Microsoft Corporation was founded as a partnership in 1975 and incorporated
in 1981. Microsoft develops, manufactures, licenses, sells, and supports a wide
range of software products, including:
. operating system software (for example, Microsoft Windows 98, Windows
2000, and Windows CE) designed for personal computers, servers,
handheld personal computers and other information devices;
. server applications software (for example, Microsoft Exchange Server
and Microsoft SQL Server) designed for client/server environments;
. business and consumer applications software (for example, Microsoft
Word; Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook);
. software development tools; and
. Internet and intranet software and technologies.
Microsoft's efforts also include:
. development of entertainment and information software programs;
. development of the MSN(TM) network of Internet products and services;
. alliances with companies involved with the creation and delivery of
digital information;
. sales of personal computer devices such as the Microsoft Mouse and the
Microsoft Natural Keyboard;
. publication of software-related books; and
. research and development of advanced technologies for future software
products.
Microsoft's business strategy is to develop a broad line of software
products for business and personal use, and to distribute these products through
diverse channels, including distributors, resellers, system integrators, retail
stores, and preinstalled on new computer hardware.
Microsoft is organized as a Washington corporation with its principal
executive offices located at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington 98052-6399.
Our telephone number is (425) 882-8080 and our electronic mail address is
[email protected].
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should
consider the following factors carefully before deciding to purchase shares of
our common stock. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we
currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.
Our current position in the market for computer software is continuously
threatened because this market is intensely competitive and technology is
constantly changing.
Microsoft is the leading producer of software for personal computers, PCs,
in the world. Nonetheless, rapid change, uncertainty due to new and emerging
technologies, and fierce competition characterize the PC software industry,
which means that our market position is always at risk. Our ability to maintain
our current market share may depend upon our ability to satisfy customer
requirements, enhance existing products, develop and introduce new products and
achieve market acceptance of such products. This process is challenging since
the pace of change continues to accelerate, including "open source" software,
new computing devices, new microprocessor architectures, the Internet, and Web-
based computing models. If we do not successfully identify new product
opportunities and develop and bring new products to market in a timely and cost-
efficient manner, our business growth will suffer and demand for our products
will decrease.
Further, the PC software industry is inherently complex. New products and
product enhancements can require long development and testing periods.
Significant delays in new product releases or significant problems in creating
new products could damage our business.
The competition in the PC software industry is intense and may have
multiple effects. For example, competing companies and systems may gain market
share, which could have the effect of directly or indirectly reducing our
existing market share. In addition, competitors, working with new technology,
may arrive at a technology that creates a new market altogether and renders our
product offerings obsolete. We expect that the overall number of competitors
providing niche products that compete with ours will increase due to the
market's attractive growth.
While we work closely with computer manufacturers and developers, other
companies promote their platforms and technologies against our products and
existing industry standards. These operating systems, platforms, and products
may gain popularity with customers, computer manufacturers, and developers,
reducing our future revenues. For example, we are engaged in intense competition
with companies that develop and support operating systems such as the open
source Linux operating system and Unix operating systems for many business
installations. These competitors include Caldera Systems, Inc., Red Hat, Inc.,
IBM and Sun Microsystems, Inc. This increased level of competition may result in
price reductions, lower-than-expected gross margins or our inability to maintain
our market share, any of which may result in a loss of revenue and cause our
business to suffer.
Because of increasing competition in the PC industry, we may experience reduced
product sales and lower revenue growth.
The nature of the PC market is changing in ways that may reduce our
software sales and our revenue growth. We earn a portion of our revenue by
licensing our software to PC manufacturers, who install Microsoft applications
during production and sell PCs to consumers that are fully operational at the
time of purchaser. Recently, manufacturers have sought to reach more consumers
by developing and producing lower cost PCs--PCs that come without pre-installed
software or contain software with reduced functionality to keep prices down.
In addition to the influx of low-cost PCs, a market for hand-held computing
and communication devices, like hand-held computers and wireless communication
devices that have the ability to communicate with the Internet, has developed.
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While these devices are not as powerful or versatile as PCs, they threaten
to erode sales growth in the market for PCs with pre-installed software. This
may affect our revenue growth because manufacturers may choose not to install
Microsoft software in these low-cost PCs or consumers may purchase alternative
devices that do not utilize Microsoft software. These lower-priced devices
require us to provide lower-priced software with a subset of the original
functionality. As a result, we will experience slower revenue growth from the
sale of software produced for these devices than from the sale of software for
traditional PCs.
In addition, in response to present and future anticipated competitive
pressures in our industry, we are providing alternative distribution of our
products at a cost lower than if the customer were to purchase the individual
products in a shrink wrapped box at a traditional retail, mail order or online
store. For instance, we offer suites of software products like the Microsoft
Office suite, which is a collection of standalone products such as Excel, Word,
Outlook and PowerPoint. By packaging the products as a suite, we offer the
customers the opportunity to purchase a license to use a collection of products
for less cost than purchasing each of the individually-licensed products in
standard boxes from a retail, mail order or online store. Additionally, we are
offering products through alternative distribution channels than the standard
individually shrink wrapped boxes sold through traditional retail vendors. These
channels include:
. Licensing agreements--customers may purchase multiple-user licenses
for a suite of products for a lower cost than paying for each license
separately
. Subscriptions--customers may enter into an annual gold license, which
entitles them to automatic upgrades and replacement products for a
lower cost than acquiring upgrades and replacement products on an
individual basis
. Downloads over the Internet--customers are able to download service
releases and upgrades as well as other products directly from the
Internet
As a result of responding to competitive pressures in the
marketplace by offering products through alternative distribution methods, we
may experience slower revenue growth.
Prices of our products could decrease, which would reduce our net income.
The competitive factors described above may require us to lower
product prices to meet competition. Since our cost of revenue is already very
low, price reductions would reduce our net income.
Developing software is expensive, and the investment in product development
often involves a long payback cycle.
Our continued success depends in part on our continued ability to
create more versatile software products faster than our competitors. We plan to
continue significant investments in software research and development. We also
expend significant resources on researching and developing new technologies such
as voice recognition and ClearType software, a software that provides improved
font sharpness and text display on color LCD screens allowing for better on-
screen reading comparable to reading on paper. We are also making significant
investments in strategic relationships with third parties, and in online
products and services such as MSN, CarPoint, and HomeAdvisor, where we have the
opportunity to establish leadership in new businesses. We anticipate these
investments in research and development will increase over historical spending
levels without corresponding growth in revenues in the near future. We cannot
assure that significant revenue from these product opportunities will be
achieved for a number of years, if at all.
Our profit margins internationally may be threatened by factors in other
countries that are outside of our control and force down the price of our
software relative to our costs.
We develop and sell our products throughout the world. The prices
of our products in countries outside of the United States are generally higher
than our prices in the United States because of the costs incurred in
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localizing software for non-U.S. markets and the costs of producing and selling
our products in these countries are also higher. Pressures to globalize our
pricing structure might require that we reduce the sales price of our software
in other countries, even though the costs of the software continue to be higher
than in the United States. This would reduce our margins and result in overall
declines in our revenue growth.
Negative changes in the following factors, among others, could also have an
impact on our business and results of operations outside of the United States:
. software "piracy" trade protection laws, policies and measures and
other regulatory requirements affecting trade and investment;
. unexpected changes in regulatory requirements for software;
. social, political, labor or economic conditions in a specific country
or region;
. difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations; and
. potential adverse foreign tax consequences.
Our intellectual property rights may be difficult to protect.
We diligently defend our intellectual property rights, but
unlicensed copying of software represents a loss of revenue. While this
adversely affects U.S. revenue, revenue loss is even more significant outside of
the U.S., particularly in countries where laws are less protective of
intellectual property rights. Throughout the world, we actively educate
consumers on the benefits of licensing genuine products and educate lawmakers on
the advantages of a business climate where intellectual property rights are
protected. However, continued efforts may not affect revenue positively.
We cannot predict the outcome or impact of antitrust claims by the U.S. and
several states.
We are a defendant in a lawsuit filed by the Antitrust Division
of the U.S. Department of Justice and a group of several state attorneys general
alleging violations of the Sherman Act and various state antitrust laws. After
the trial, the District Court entered the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law stating that we had violated sections of the Sherman Act and various state
antitrust laws. A Judgment was entered on June 7, 2000 ordering, among other
things, the breakup of Microsoft into two companies. In addition, the Judgment,
if not stayed or modified, would impose severe product design and business
conduct restrictions. We filed a motion with the District Court on June 7, 2000
seeking to stay all provisions of the Judgment pending appeal and, on June 13,
2000, we filed an appeal of the Judgment and a motion in the Court of Appeals to
stay or suspend the conduct restrictions pending appeal. On June 20, 2000, the
District Court entered an order staying the Judgment of June 7, 2000 in its
entirety until the appeal therefrom is heard and decided, unless the stay is
earlier vacated by an appellate court. Although we believe we will obtain
ultimate relief from the Judgment, we can not predict with certainty when or the
extent to which such relief will be obtained. The failure to obtain sufficient
relief through the appeal could have a material adverse effect on the value of
Microsoft's common stock and/or the stock of the two resulting companies if the
divestiture is finally approved. For more information concerning this
litigation, particularly the current status of the litigation which is changing
very rapidly, you are encouraged to review our other SEC filings, which are
incorporated below under "Where You Can Find More Information" and copies of
orders, motions, briefs and other court filings that are available at the
following websites: www.microsoft.com/presspass/trial/default.asp,
www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/ms index.htm, and
--------------------------
www.dcd.uscourts.gov/microsoft-all.html.
---------------------------------------
We may not be able to maintain our present revenue growth rate or operating
margins.
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Our revenue growth rate in 2001 may not approach the level attained in
prior years. Operating expenses are expected to increase from historical levels.
Because of the fixed nature of a significant portion of such expenses, coupled
with the possibility of slower revenue growth, operating margins may decrease
from historical levels.
USE OF PROCEEDS
All net proceeds from the sale of the common shares covered by this
prospectus will go to the selling shareholders who offer and sell their shares.
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares by the
selling shareholders.
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS AND PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
All of the common shares registered for sale under this prospectus will be
owned prior to the offer and sale of such shares by all of the former
shareholders of MongoMusic, Inc. (the "selling shareholders'').
All of the shares offered by the selling shareholders were acquired in
connection with the merger of MongoMusic, Inc., a Delaware corporation with a
wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft (the "merger"). Under the terms of the
merger, Microsoft agreed to register the common shares received by the selling
shareholders in connection with the merger. The shares held by the selling
shareholders do not exceed one percent (1%) of Microsoft's outstanding
capitalization. In the past three years, none of the selling shareholders has
had a material relationship with Microsoft, except that certain selling
shareholders have become non-officer employees of Microsoft after the merger.
We are registering the common shares covered by this prospectus for the
selling shareholders. As used in this prospectus, "selling shareholders''
includes the pledgees, donees, transferees or others who may later hold the
selling shareholders' interests. We will pay the costs and fees of registering
the common shares, but the selling shareholders will pay any brokerage
commissions, discounts or other expenses relating to the sale of the common
shares.
The selling shareholders may sell the common shares in the over-the-counter
market or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices
related to the prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. In addition,
the selling shareholders may sell some or all of their common shares through:
. a block trade in which a broker-dealer or other person may resell a
portion of the block, as principal or agent, in order to facilitate
the transaction;
. purchases by a broker-dealer or other person, as principal, and resale
by the broker-dealer for its account; or
. ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker
solicits purchasers.
When selling the common shares, the selling shareholders may enter into
hedging transactions. For example, the selling shareholders may:
. enter into transactions involving short sales of the common shares by
broker-dealers;
. sell common shares short themselves and deliver the shares registered
hereby to settle such short sales or to close out stock loans incurred
in connection with their short positions;
. enter into option or other types of transactions that require the
selling shareholder to deliver common shares to a broker-dealer or
other person, who will then resell or transfer the common shares under
this prospectus; or
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. loan or pledge the common shares to a broker-dealer or other person,
who may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the
pledged shares.
The selling shareholders may negotiate and pay broker-dealers or other
persons commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. Broker-dealers
or other persons engaged by the selling shareholders may allow other broker-
dealers or other persons to participate in resales. However, the selling
shareholders and any broker-dealers or such other persons involved in the sale
or resale of the common shares may qualify as "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933
Act"). In addition, the broker-dealers' or their affiliates' commissions,
discounts or concession may qualify as underwriters' compensation under the 1933
Act. If the selling shareholders qualify as "underwriters," they will be
subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of Section 5(b)(2) of the 1933
Act.
In addition to selling their common shares under this prospectus, the
selling shareholders may:
. agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent against certain
liabilities related to the selling of the common shares, including
liabilities arising under the 1933 Act;
. transfer their common shares in other ways not involving market makers
or established trading markets, including directly by gift,
distribution, or other transfer; or
. sell their common shares under Rule 144 of the 1933 Act rather than
under this prospectus, if the transaction meets the requirements of
Rule 144.
We have agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against liabilities
arising in connection with this offering, including liabilities under the 1933
Act, or to contribute to payments that the selling shareholders may be required
to make in that respect.
Additional information related to the selling shareholders and the plan of
distribution may be provided in one or more supplemental prospectuses.
LEGAL MATTERS
For purposes of this offering, Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, Seattle,
Washington, is giving its opinion on the validity of the common shares. As of
the date of this prospectus, attorneys in Preston Gates & Ellis LLP who have
worked on substantive matters for Microsoft own fewer than 1,000,000 common
shares.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Microsoft for each of the three
years in the period ended June 30, 2000, incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus from Microsoft's Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
. Government Filings. We file annual, quarterly and special reports and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"). You may read and copy any document that we file at the SEC's
public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York, and
Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also
available to you free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
Most of our SEC filings are also available to you free of charge at
our web site at www.microsoft.com/MSFT.
. Stock Market. The common shares are traded as "National Market
Securities" on the Nasdaq National Market. Material filed by
Microsoft can be inspected at the offices of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., Reports Section, 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.
. Information Incorporated by Reference. The SEC allows us to
"incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file
later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede previously
filed information, including information contained in this document.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future
filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until this offering has been completed:
1. Microsoft's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 16, 2000.
2. Microsoft's Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes various pages
from its Annual Report to Shareholders, for the year ended June 30,
2000.
3. Microsoft's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 19, 1999.
4. Microsoft's Proxy Statement dated September 28, 2000.
5. The description of the common stock of Microsoft, which is contained
in the registration statement of Microsoft filed on Form S-3, dated
December 13, 1996 (333-17143).
You may request free copies of these filings by writing or telephoning
us at the following address:
Investor Relations Department
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, Washington 98052-6399
(425) 882-8080
email: [email protected]
You may also review and/or download free copies of items 2 and 4 at
our website at www.microsoft.com/MSFT.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The expenses relating to the registration of Shares will be borne by the
registrant. Such expenses are estimated to be as follows:
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<S> <C>
Registration fee--Securities and Exchange Commission.............................................. . $10,818.79
Accountants' fees................................................................................. . 5,000.00
Legal fees........................................................................................ . 12,000.00
Miscellaneous..................................................................................... . 2,181.21
----------
Total............................................................................................. . $30,000.00
==========
</TABLE>
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article XII of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of Microsoft
authorizes Microsoft to indemnify any present or former director or officer to
the fullest extent not prohibited by the WBCA, public policy or other applicable
law. Chapter 23B.8.510 and .570 of the WBCA authorizes a corporation to
indemnify its directors, officers, employees, or agents in terms sufficiently
broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities
(including provisions permitting advances for expenses incurred) arising under
the 1933 Act.
The directors and officers of Microsoft are entitled to indemnification by
each of the Selling Shareholders against any cause of action, loss, claim,
damage, or liability to the extent it arises out of or is based upon the failure
of any Selling Shareholder (or his donees, legatees, or pledgees) and each
underwriter to comply with the Prospectus delivery requirements under the
federal securities laws or any applicable state securities laws or upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in this Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained herein, as the
same shall be amended or supplemented, made in reliance upon or in conformity
with written information furnished to Microsoft by such Selling Shareholder or
such underwriter.
In addition, Microsoft maintains directors' and officers' liability
insurance under which Microsoft's directors and officers are insured against
loss (as defined in the policy) as a result of claims brought against them for
their wrongful acts in such capacities.
Item 16. List of Exhibits.
The Exhibits to this registration statement are listed in the Index to
Exhibits on page II-5.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
1933 Act;
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(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any
material change to such information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by Microsoft pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) For purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that
is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
II-2
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Redmond, State of Washington on October 12, 2000.
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
/s/ Steven A. Ballmer
By: ____________________________________
Steven A. Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Steven A. Ballmer, his attorney-in-fact, for him in any
and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this registration statement, and
to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute, may do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
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Signature Title Date
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------- -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
\s\ Steven A. Ballmer
---------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer, Director October 12, 2000
Steven A. Ballmer (Principal Executive Officer)
\s\ William H. Gates III
---------------------------------- Chairman, Chief Software October 12, 2000
William H. Gates III Architect, Director
\s\ John Connors
---------------------------------- Vice President, Finance, Chief October 12, 2000
John Connors Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting
Officer
\s\ Paul G. Allen
---------------------------------- Director October 12, 2000
Paul G. Allen
\s\ Richard A. Hackborn
---------------------------------- Director October 12, 2000
Richard A. Hackborn
Signature Title Date
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------- -------------------------------------
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
----------------------------------
\s\ David F. Marquardt
----------------------------------
David F. Marquardt Director October 12, 2000
\s\ Ann McLaughlin
----------------------------------
Ann McLaughlin Director October 12, 2000
\s\ William G. Reed, Jr.
----------------------------------
William G. Reed, Jr. Director October 6, 2000
\s\ Jon A. Shirley
----------------------------------
Jon A. Shirley Director October 12, 2000
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description Location
----------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
5 Opinion of Counsel re: legality See attached.
23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Auditors See attached.
23.2 Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP See footnote(1)
24 Power of Attorney See page II-3
</TABLE>
(1) Contained within Exhibit 5.
II-5
