Judge Orders Microsoft to Cooperate

A federal judge ordered Microsoft Corp. to make available top executives, including Chairman Bill Gates, and key software codes to government lawyers trying to build an antitrust suit against the software giant. U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson sided with the government, which had sought better access to Gates and a longer list of other company officials. Jackson also granted the government’s request for access to the source code for versions of the company’s Windows 95 and Windows 98 personal computer operating software. Microsoft attorney John Warden warned Jackson that the Redmond, Wash.-based company would seek dismissal of the entire case in papers to be filed Monday. But Jackson indicated he was not predisposed to dismissal. Trial is set to begin on Sept. 8. In May, the federal government and 20 states filed a broad antitrust suit against Microsoft, accusing it of illegally maintaining its monopoly in PC operating systems and using that position to gain monopolies in other areas.