<p>Three of the top 20 Microsoft Corp. investors want Bill Gates to step down as chairman lest he hold back the company from the yet-to-be-named new CEO, according to a report by Reuters citing persons familiar with the matter.</p><p>The investors, who own 5 percent stake combined, are lobbying the board but there is no indication the board will comply.</p><p>Microsoft, which Gates co-founded 38 years ago, has fallen behind its competitors in mobile, and CEO Steve Ballmer was pushed to resign by hedge fund investor ValueAct, which owns about .8 percent of Microsoft. While Ballmer has received much criticism, Gates hasn't been the subject of complaint.</p><p>In August Ballmer announced he would retire within 12 months. The investors are now worried Gates could push for a CEO with antiquated views. Gates handed his CEO position to Ballmer in 2000, and in 2010 he gave Ray Ozzie his chief software architect position. Ozzie is regarded as a pioneer and best known for creating International Business Machines Corporation's Lotus Notes. But he comes from the same era as Gates.</p><p><a href="http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/306579-top-microsoft-investors-lobby-for-gates-to-step-down/">Keep reading...</a></p>