And

It's n. p. r.'s weekend all things considered i'm jackie lyden in a surprise move this evening the judge mediating the microsoft anti trust case has said he cannot reach a settlement between the computer company and the u. s. government that leaves the door open for a ruling from judge thomas penfield jackson next week we make a law professor bill co prosecutor george washington university for citizenship attention

It means that there is unlikely to be a settlement in this proceeding and that means that sometime early in the coming weeks judge thomas penfield jackson who's been presiding over the trial will issue his decision deciding whether or not microsoft has violated the anti trust laws is highly likely that that decision will be favorable to the government

Why do you think that that judge penfield jackson decision will be favorable

His findings of fact issued last november were extraordinarily favorable to the government every indication is given in the courtroom today is that he will vindicate most if not all of the government's claims which means that the next step will be

To select a remedy you think there is any significance to the fact that the decision was issued on saturday evening

I think the judge because there is so aware that everyone is watching this case very closely by announcing the results on saturday simply saying it's not going to work at least puts everyone in a position to prepare for the release of judge jackson's opinion sometime monday or tuesday

And can you set the stage for that reminder to some of the big issues here and how long it's been going on

The lawsuit itself was filed in may of nineteen

The eight in there been two crucial issues in the case the first is whether or not microsoft has a monopoly power in the computer operating systems market the second is whether microsoft is maintain that position and preeminence through improper means

And in both respects judge jackson to this point has suggested that the answer will be yes that microsoft does have dominance in that it used improper techniques such as exclusive contracts predatory pricing and tying arrangements that bundled different products together to keep its competitors out of the field

Professor built about six thank you very much for being with it's my pleasure thank you bill to prosecute a professor at george washington university law school he spoke to us from his home in washington