Judge Rules On Microsoft Decision

A US District Court Judge has ruled that Microsoft broke federal antitrust laws when it acted to protect its monopoly in the Windows operating system.

Saying that Microsoft put an “oppressive thumb on the scale of competitive fortune,” US District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson said Microsoft effectively thwarted entrepreneurial efforts which could have led to competition in the market for Intel compatible PC operating systems.

The ruling opens up the possibility that the US Department of Justice and other states will seek tough remedies, possibily breaking up the giant software company or imposing severe santions on the company’s business practices.

Meanwhile a press release from Microsoft Corporation stated it would challenge the ruling on to the appeal court.

The ruling comes after the judge mediating between the company and the government abandoned the negotiations to reach an out of court settlement saying the differences between the two sides were too great.

For the mediator's statement see... Microsoft Anti-Trust Ruling – Judge’s Statement. For the whole text of latest ruling see... Microsoft Court Ruling. For Microsoft Corporation's Statement see... Microsoft to Appeal U.S. District Court Ruling.

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