Some States Back Microsoft
Post | at | by Mike
Microsoft Corp. and the Justice Department brought their epic antitrust battle closer to an end yesterday as they delivered to federal court a settlement proposal that several state attorneys general indicated they may be willing to support. The terms, however, drew a storm of criticism from some of the software giant's major rivals, including AOL Time Warner Inc., Sun Microsystems Inc. and RealNetworks Inc. Many said the accord is so full of loopholes that it is doubtful it will restore competition in the computer industry. In a brief proceeding yesterday morning, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly did not comment on the merits of the draft but applauded the effort and agreed to give the state attorneys general who are also party to the suit until 9 a.m. Tuesday to review the terms.