[Am-info] Microsoft faces new legal challenge

[Erick Andrews]

Massachusetts hasn't entirely given up.  Maybe even
West [by god] Virginia.

See:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2529405.stm

Bill Gates: Back in court again?
The state of Massachusetts has said it will appeal against a federal court
ruling upholding Microsoft's controversial anti-trust deal with the US
government. 

The appeal, if successful, could revive
attempts by Microsoft's opponents to
end the firm's dominance of the
software market through legal
sanctions. 

Massachusetts is one of nine US states
that refused to go along with a
settlement last year which ended a
federal government inquiry into alleged
market abuse by the software giant. 

The nine 'rebel' states argued that the original settlement let Microsoft off
too lightly, and went back to court to press for tougher penalties. 

Last stand 

But US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly rejected their arguments
earlier this month in a ruling which endorsed the original anti-trust deal. 

Seven of the other eight rebel states said on Friday they would not challenge
the decision, with the remaining state - West Virginia - due to decide by
Monday. 

Monday is the deadline for state authorities to decide whether to contest Ms
Kollar Kotelly's ruling. 

Massachusetts state officials said they were prepared to act alone in an
effort to prevent possible future competitive abuses by Mircosoft. 

"We are prepared to go our own way," said Massachusetts Attorney
General Tom Reilly. 

"Left to its own devices ... Microsoft will contine to engage in predatory
practices and eliminate any real chance for consumer choice or business
innovation." 

Market dominance 

The original anti-trust probe, launched in 1999, came in response to
complaints that Microsoft had designed its Windows operating system -
used on 80% of the world's personal computers - in such a way that it was
difficult to run non-Microsoft products alongside it. 

Microsoft was found guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, and, under the
terms of the final settlement, was ordered to make technical information
available to competitors so that they could design software that would run
smoothly with Windows. 

But the settlement stopped short of breaking Microsoft up into two separate
companies, a measure that many of its opponents had called for. 

-- 
Erick Andrews