FULL SPEED AHEAD; COURT WON'T STOP MICROSOFT SHIPMENT.Byline: Ted Bridis The Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that antitrust restrictions a judge placed on the sale of Microsoft's Windows software do not extend to the company's upcoming release of Windows 98. The court said the government's arguments involving Windows 98 in this case ``appear very weak.'' The decision means that, barring further action by the Justice Department, state attorneys general and the courts, Microsoft can ship its updated software, Windows 98, to computer makers this week and require them to include the company's Internet browser See Web browser. . However, the Justice Department and a group of states investigating Microsoft are expected to file a broader antitrust complaint this week that could interfere with that shipment. In addition, Microsoft rival Sun Microsystems Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAVA[3]) is an American vendor of computers, computer components, computer software, and information-technology services, founded on 24 February 1982. Inc. asked a federal judge Tuesday in California to force changes in Windows 98 or block its release. Microsoft called the ruling by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). ``very significant news.'' At the same time, Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said, ``The court order addresses a narrow aspect . . . and our investigation is ongoing.'' The federal government and 13 states' attorneys general are investigating whether Microsoft illegally used its marketplace power to limit competition, especially among Internet browsers, the software used to view information on the World Wide Web. Microsoft has included its browser free in the latest versions of Windows. Separately on Tuesday, Sun Microsystems asked the U.S. District Court in San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. to require Microsoft to alter Windows 98 to include a version of the Java programming language that Sun developed or block shipment A method of shipment of supplies to overseas areas to provide balanced stocks or an arbitrary balanced force for a specific number of days, e.g., shipment of 30 days' supply for an average force of 10,000 individuals. of the software. Microsoft has placed extraordinary emphasis on the importance of the timely release of Windows 98, a $109 upgrade to the operating system software that runs almost all home computers. It plans to offer the software to computer makers Friday and wants to offer it at stores June 25. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (color) Bill Gates Microsoft CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. has reason to smile |
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