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Friday, May 13, 2011 Microsoft comes to end of anti-trust era One of the biggest monopoly battles of all time came to an end on Thursday after 21 years. Microsoft has been fighting U.S. investigations since 1990, leading to a disputed consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice. That decree expired this week. In 2000, the software giant’s Windows operating system and built-in web browser, was ruled a monopoly by the U.S. government, almost forcing the company to be split up. Following is a timeline of the landmark anti-trust battle courtesy of the Seattle Times: May 1998: The U.S. Department of Justice, 20 states and the District of Columbia sue Microsoft, accusing the company of illegally engaging in predatory practices to protect its monopoly in personal-computer operating systems. October 1998: The antitrust trial begins in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. January 2000: Microsoft Chief Executive Bill Gates announces he will become chief software architect and Steve Ballmer will be CEO. April 2000: U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson rules Microsoft unlawfully maintained a monopoly in Windows and unlawfully tied its browser to Windows. June 2000:Jackson orders a breakup of Microsoft into two companies. September 2001: Justice says it would no longer seek a breakup of Microsoft. November 2001: Justice and Microsoft agree on a proposed settlement for the antitrust case. November 2002: U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly approves the settlement; Microsoft is ordered to comply with a five-year consent decree. May 2006: Microsoft and Justice agree to extend the consent decree until November 2009. January 2008: grants extension. April 2009: Parties agree to extend the consent decree to May 12, 2011. May 2011: Consent decree expires on May 12. For the full Seattle Times story: seattletimes.nwsource.com More Newswire stories Energy tycoon pushes natural gas for trucking industry Toys “R” Us to install largest-ever rooftop solar power setup Japanese firm launches “Eco ship” study Turkey’s PM wants to divert tankers with proposed $12 bil canal	Click to browse past stories on these topics: Logistics Ports & Infrastructure Economic Outlook Environmental Impact Technology
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Microsoft comes to end of anti-trust era