Half of the states suing Microsoft in a three-and-a-half-year-old antitrust case said yesterday they would pursue their legal effort for tougher sanctions, rejecting a deal negotiated by the US Justice Department.
The split among the states was revealed at a federal court hearing on the agreement proposed last week by federal antitrust officials and the world's leading software firm, found guilty of abusing its monopoly.
Nine states accepted a modified version of the proposed settlement, but the nine other states and the District of Columbia decided to press for tougher measures, said Iowa Attorney General Mr Tom Miller.
"As of today, nine states have settled and 10 jurisdictions are moving ahead" to press for further measures in court, he said.
"I will work in preparation for litigation with my colleagues," said Mr Miller, who had co-ordinated the case for the states, adding that as a result of the split, "we're parted company to some extent today". Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said the remaining states were preparing for more court battles unless Microsoft made additional concessions.
