Eric Engstrom, general manager of `DirectX Multimedia' at Microsoft Corp, completed his testimony at the trial by denying an accusation made earlier in the trial by a witness from Apple Computer Inc, Avadis Tevanian.

"I think his statement is completely unfounded," testified Engstrom. "It's amazing to me that Tevanian can come in... and make an accusation of sabotage... Our company would never do something like that. This reflects on me personally and my colleagues at Microsoft."

Engstrom was one of two witnesses to defend the company on Wednesday. Joachim Kempin, a senior vice-president, later said the company gives flexibility to computer makers that use Windows. Engstrom's testimony focused on Apple, the only major consumer computer maker that does not useWindows.

Tevanian, a senior vice president at Apple, alleged earlier in the trial that "while Microsoft was pressing Apple to withdraw from the playback market, Microsoft took several steps to sabotage QuickTime." QuickTime is software designed to play back audio and video on computers.

The Justice Department and 19 states have charged that Microsoft illegally used monopoly power for personal computer operating systems to preserve that monopoly power and extend it to other areas.

The accusations have focused mostly on Netscape Communications Corp and the market for Web browsers to surf the Internet.

The government called Tevanian to show that the pattern of Microsoft's actions extends to other companies.

Microsoft called Engstrom to respond. He acknowledged Microsoft wanted Apple to abandon part of its QuickTime software and use the underlying software from Microsoft instead.

"I believed there was no reason for them to duplicate efforts," said Engstrom. "I think I might well have said it was`silly' for them to duplicate."

But Tevanian charged that Microsoft's efforts went further. He testified that Apple was unable to get QuickTime to run properly on Microsoft's Windows and that the Redmond, Washington, software firm refused to correct problems.

Engstrom replied that Cupertino, California-based Apple had failed to follow through on giving Microsoft the information it needed to correct software `bugs.'