Article Abstract:
The premise behind breaking up Microsoft to prevent predatory monopoly behavior is simple enough: one part will handle the market dominant Windows operating system and the other will handle applications software and the potentially lucrative Internet software. The actual process of splitting Microsoft, however, will be greatly complicated by the task of having to separate staff, buildings and patent rights, all of which are intertwined in the current Microsoft.
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Article Abstract:
InterTrust Technologies Inc. has sued Microsoft Corp. for alleged patent violation having to do with digital rights management, or DRM. The firm has tried unsuccessfuly to get Microsoft to license its technology. Instead, Microsoft has continued to ship its own version of DRM software, in its Media Windows product.
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Article Abstract:
US District Judge Stanley Sporkin is reviewing the antitrust agreement that Microsoft Corp signed with the Department of Justice. The judge is considering amending the agreement based on changes asked by Microsoft competitors. Some of the key changes include separating Microsoft's operating system and application software divisions internally so they would not have access to each others development work and requiring the company to inform its competitors about critical source code routines in its operating systems. The judge is also thinking about forbidding the company to make product announcements in advance of shipping products because such actions could hurt competitors. Legal experts report the judge's review of the case surprised them because they believe the judge only has the power to approve or disapprove it, not modify it.
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