Linux Online - Judge Urges Government to Probe Microsoft Licensing

Judge Urges Government to Probe Microsoft Licensing


Publication:	CNN.com	Date:	Oct 25 2003

The judge in the Microsoft Corp. antitrust case urged government lawyers Friday to investigate why only nine companies so far have paid Microsoft to license its technology for their own software products, agreements central to the success of a landmark settlement negotiated with the Bush administration.

"I think all of us had hoped for more agreements," U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly acknowledged during a hearing Friday. "I am interested in finding out why we don't have more licensed products."

The judge said the nine companies that already signed agreements "look like it's pretty much the heavy-hitters." But government lawyers explained it will take months to determine whether the deals will substantially ensure Microsoft can't abuse its control over computers running Windows software.

The judge scheduled another oversight hearing in January.