The Microsoft antitrust case with the dissenting nine states reached final arguments today. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly threw bothsides a curve yesterdayasking each side to rank points of their proposal and offer possible concessions. Some believe it was a signal she may modify the original MS-DoJ settlement to encompass both the DoJ settlement and concerns the nine dissenting states had. The dissenting statesclosed their argumentsby painting MS as the big bully, and the Judge was their only hope.
"I suggest to you that Microsoft still doesn’t get it, and you’re the only one left to tell them what it’s all about," states’ attorney Brendan Sullivan told U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.
The dissenting states believe the MS-DoJ settlement does not go far enough and contains too many loopholes. They ranked their most important penalty a requirement for MS to disclose technical information to developers to insure interoperability. Of lesser importance was flexible and less restrictive contracts for computer makers and protection for these companies against retaliation by MS.
True to the dissenting attorney’s statements, Microsoft’s lawyers appeared to bedefiant and a bit arrogantin their closing remarks. Echoing the two sides extreme positions, MS believes the DoJ settlement is fine and dandy, no modifications or additions are warranted. They refused to give ground and also refused the judge’s request for possible concessions.
