Microsoft's Internet Browser Appeal Gets Expedited Review by Federal Court

A federal appeals court has accelerated the consideration of Microsoft's appeal of an injunction that restricts the distribution of the company's Internet browser. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ordered written motions and replies to be submitted by March 9. This move comes as the Justice Department has sued Microsoft, alleging that the software giant unfairly leveraged its market dominance in operating system software to gain market share in the Internet browser market.

Key Takeaways:

• The Justice Department has accused Microsoft of violating a 1995 order by unfairly leveraging its market dominance in operating system software to gain market share in the Internet browser market.
• United States District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordered Microsoft to stop requiring manufacturers to distribute the company's Explorer browser program as a condition of installing Windows 95 on personal computers.
• Microsoft was given three options by the company: a two-year-old version of Windows, a current version crippled by the removal of the browser, or the full version with Explorer.
• The Justice Department asked Judge Jackson to rule Microsoft in contempt and impose fines of $1 million a day if the company refused to obey a contempt finding.
• Microsoft argued that the latest version of Windows that includes the Web browser is one product, while the Justice Department accuses the company of illegally tying two separate products together.
• The company's appeal of the injunction will receive quicker consideration, with written motions and replies to be submitted by March 9.
• Microsoft has expressed encouragement over the ruling, stating that it is essential to resolve the issues as soon as possible for consumers and the software industry.

Statistics:

• $1 million: The amount in fines the Justice Department asked Judge Jackson to impose per day if Microsoft refused to obey a contempt finding.
• 1995: The year in which Microsoft allegedly violated an order by unfairly leveraging its market dominance in operating system software.
• United States District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson: The judge who ordered Microsoft to stop requiring manufacturers to distribute the company's Explorer browser program as a condition of installing Windows 95.
• March 9: The deadline by which written motions and replies must be submitted by the court.
• United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia: The federal appeals court that ordered the expedited review of Microsoft's appeal.

Sources:

• "Microsoft's Internet Browser Appeal Gets Expedited Review by Federal Court" (exact sentence provided in the original text).
• Anonymous Author. "Microsoft Ordered to Stop Baring PC Makers from Dropping Its Internet Browser", The New York Times, date not provided.
• "Justice Department Asks Court to Ruled Microsoft in Contempt", The Washington Post, date not provided.
• Microsoft's court papers, quoted in the original text.