U.S. seeks to break up Microsoft

Article Abstract:

The Justice Department, in talks with Microsoft will seek to break up the software giant. Microsoft is expected to reject the idea. If talks, mediated by Court of Appeals Judge Richard Posner are unproductive, Microsoft will end up back in federal court to hear final arguments in the government antitrust case. Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson had proclaimed that Microsoft might face harsh sanctions for predatory monopolistic practices. Some analysts believe Microsoft may benefit from being 3 smaller, more nimble companies.

Laws, regulations and rules, Practice, Government regulation, Negotiation, mediation and arbitration, Posner, Richard A.

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Microsoft plans to start settlement talks; rift remains on key issues in suit, but move marks shift for U.S. and firm

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp. plans to begin discussing possible settlement of antitrust suit filed by the Justice Department and 19 states despite the slim chances of reaching a settlement before the trial resumes for rebuttal and closing arguments in April. The software company has shown a willingness to accept some of the government's demands that include revising its alleged exclusionary contracts with Internet partners and accepting additional limits on licensing terms for its Windows operating system, but still does not agree to altering its practice of adding new features to Windows, such as its Internet Explorer, that allegedly restrict the challenge from its competitors. Microsoft contends the right to add features is a nonnegotiable issue, as the company believes the government's argument against product integration is the weakest part of its case.

Systems Software Pkgs (Micro), Company legal issue, Operating system, Operating systems (Software), Operating systems, MSFT, Microsoft Windows 95 (Operating system)

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Signals in the Microsoft case: the judge hints at ideas for a remedy

Article Abstract:

Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson has outlined a plan for Microsoft to remedy its anti-competitive business practices. However, Microsoft has not conceded that it has done anything wrong and will not comment on the plan.

Legal issues & crime, Management

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