Microsoft, DOJ open to settlement
Both Microsoft and the Justice Department say they are willing to make a good-faith effort to settle the long-running antitrust case.
Talks have not been scheduled, however, and it appears that the differences between the two sides remain considerable.
"We are willing to talk on a wide range of issues as long as our ability
to add features to our products and innovate are protected," said a
source close to Microsoft. "This is nothing new. We've always stated that we would have discussions with the government."
Justice Department antitrust division chief Joel Klein, who is attending a high-technology conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, said that the government was open to negotiations.
"We have not received any settlement proposal from Microsoft," Klein said, adding that the department was "open to a settlement" that met all of the government's requirements.
The Justice Department and 19 states allege that Microsoft is a monopolist that has illegally used its dominance to crush competitors. A key allegation is that Microsoft bundled its Internet Explorer browser with its Windows operating system to thwart Netscape Communications.