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Aftershocks from the breakup

In a tersely worded brief, Microsoft attacks the government, saying it is trying to sidestep the law so it can petition the Supreme Court to take the case directly.

CNET News staff
4 min read
 

U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson decides that Microsoft can retain its operating systems for PCs, TV set-top boxes, handheld computers and other devices. But the company would be forced to create a separate firm for its other software and Internet products.

"Microsoft as it is presently organized and led is unwilling to accept the notion that it broke the law or accede to an order amending its conduct."

- U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson

 

See MS-DOJ timeline

 


   The document trail
Judge's final ruling in landmark antitrust case
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Microsoft gets industry leaders to sound off in support of its case
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Microsoft slams government proposal for breakup
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DOJ offers revised plan to split Microsoft in two
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Microsoft breaks down the details of the government's proposal
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Microsoft argues that any case remedy must not be punitive
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Microsoft calls for "summary rejection" of breakup proposal
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Microsoft picks apart government's case
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Microsoft offers alternatives to breakup
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Government proposes to break Microsoft in two
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Microsoft says breakup severe, pushes behavioral remedies
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Judge rules Microsoft violated antitrust laws
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Judge's findings of fact
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By CNET News.com staff
June 12, 2000, 9:15 a.m. PT
Microsoft blasts DOJ plan
The company wastes no time countering a plan by government attorneys to quickly move the antitrust trial to the Supreme Court.

DOJ turns up heat
The government files an unexpected legal brief slamming Microsoft's request that the judge stay conduct restrictions.

Clark warns of Explorer
Netscape co-founder Jim Clark voices concern over keeping the browser with Microsoft's Net businesses.

Redmond's bleak forecast
A Microsoft attorney says the breakup order will lead to confusion, lack of innovation and no consumer benefits.

Gauging the political winds
The next president is not likely to come to Microsoft's rescue, even with a sweeping Republican victory this fall.

Breakup cost estimated at $43 billion
A report from Aberdeen Group says the divestiture could cost more than $43 billion in higher expenses and lower stock values.

Day One special coverage
Judge: Microsoft must be broken in two
A federal court rules that the software giant be broken into two companies, a move that could drastically alter the high-technology landscape if eventually carried out.

Envisioning life after Windows
news analysis Silicon Valley veterans and just about anyone else who has encountered the software monolith are contemplating something never thought possible--a world no longer dictated by the Windows juggernaut.

Appeals court may favor company
Microsoft may have good reason for boasting that it will prevail on appeal. Conservatives dominate the local appellate court, which some believe would side with company.

Investors may face split decision
A breakup would leave investors with a tough choice: go with Microsoft's proven software business, which may have a limited future, or invest in the riskier Net company, which has vast growth potential.

see full text of Judge's final ruling Lessons learned from Big Blue
Microsoft's case harks back to the 1980s, when IBM ended its own precedent-setting antitrust battle by vowing to change its monopolistic ways.

Boldness, pace define Jackson's rule
Those who have reviewed Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's courtroom performance say he has distinguished himself with strong action and political savvy.

Reaction to ruling is quick, mixed
Technology executives, politicians and frontline software coders digest the judge's order splitting Microsoft into two companies. So far, no consensus appears to be emerging.

Klein: "This is the right remedy"
Assistant Attorney General Joel Klein, who led the charge against Microsoft, says the "remedy is fair and it's measured."

previous coverage
Microsoft strikes back in final filing
update The company unexpectedly responds to the government's harsh rebuttal brief, setting the stage for a possible ruling in its antitrust case.

DOJ rejects most Microsoft ideas in revised plan
update The government gives up little ground to the software giant in the continuing debate over a proposal on how to break up the company.

Judge gives government another chance
update A federal judge responds to a government request for more legal briefs in the Microsoft antitrust trial, delaying a ruling that had been expected for later this week.

Preliminary appeal could be litmus test
The appeals process in the Microsoft case could take years, but an early appellate decision may become a litmus test for the eventual outcome of the case.

Microsoft files last word in landmark trial
The company slams the government's proposal to break it up, a last-minute move before the final ruling in the celebrated case.