Justice Backs Microsoft in Antitrust Action

US opposes extension of scrutiny
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 12, 2007 4:07 AM CST
Justice Backs Microsoft in Antitrust Action
Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, speaking during Tech.Ed, a technology conference held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007.The Justice Dept is opposing a move by New York, California and other states to have judicial monitoring of its activities...   (Associated Press)

Microsoft chief Bill Gates has a critical ally in the latest phase of his company's marathon antitrust suit—the Justice Department.  The agency is opposing court action by New York and California to extend judicial oversight of Microsoft's activities to 2012, reports the Wall Street Journal. Monitoring was part of the settlement of an antitrust suit brought by the Clinton administration.

The judicial scrutiny was to have ended Monday—but several states asked for a five-year extension, citing Microsoft's continued dominance of the software industry. Justice officials say the extension is unnecessary and the states' arguments are "inadequate and mutually inconsistent." (More Microsoft stories.)

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