School's out for Microsoft
C|Net | at | by Mike
November 20, 2001, was a good day for Microsoft. Despite objections from Apple Computer, the software giant was apparently going to be able to settle more than 100 private antitrust lawsuits--without having to admit any wrongdoing--by giving away $1 billion in cash, software and services to the nation's poorest schools. But last Friday was not such a good day for Microsoft. A federal judge in Baltimore threw the deal out.
Last Monday in a separate antitrust case, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said no to a request that would have delayed a remedy hearing by four months. In November, the Justice Department and nine out of 18 states had settled with Microsoft, but nine other states and the District of Columbia didn't, leading to the March hearing that will now go ahead as scheduled.
While Microsoft might be bowed on this, it's not beaten. With the $1 billion school deal all but dead--there being little likelihood Microsoft will appeal against the finding--Microsoft will lose out with the disappearance of some golden public relations opportunities. But in the long term, the raft of antitrust lawsuits dogging it will be settled and business will continue.