Judge OKs Microsoft Settlement

U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly today accepted Microsoft's proposed settlement with the Department of Justice that was put forth one year ago. In a decisive victory for the software giant, the judge largely rejected a demand by nine states and the District of Columbia for additional sanctions.

"The court is satisfied that the parties have reached a settlement which comports with the public interest," wrote Kollar-Kotelly.

The judge eliminated a technical committee that was proposed to oversee compliance of the settlement, and instead instituted an internal corporate compliance committee made up of Microsoft board members. The settlement also calls for Microsoft to open communication protocols in Windows six months earlier than initially proposed.

In response to the decision, Microsoft said in a statement: "We are pleased that the court has conditionally approved the settlement we reached with the federal government and the nine states. The settlement is a tough, but fair, compromise. It imposes significant requirements on Microsoft, but it enables us to continue to innovate and to create products that address the changing needs of our customers. We recognize that we will be closely scrutinized by the government and our competitors, and we will devote all the time, energy and resources needed to ensure that we meet our responsibilities."

A full copy of the decision is available on the district court's Web site.