Microsoft Seeks Delay in Windows 98 Changes

Microsoft Corp. asked a federal judge Thursday to delay for at least seven months the government’s demand to make immediate changes to Windows 98, which goes on sale June 25.

Microsoft also asked the judge to combine two antitrust lawsuits--among the most significant of their kind this century--that the Justice Department and 20 states filed this week. The company argued it faces an antitrust case almost two years in the making, which would require thousands of pages of documents and dozens of interviews with industry executives, including some from its main rivals.

“We obviously want to get this issue resolved as soon as possible,” company spokesman Mark Murray said. “But we need a reasonable amount of time to respond to the government’s request for a preliminary injunction, which would be extremely far-reaching.”

Critics, citing the fast-paced change of the industry, said they would oppose Microsoft’s request.

“This prolonged delay would serve no one’s interests except Microsoft, which could continue its anti-competitive practices and stall court action until Windows 99 or 2000,” said Connecticut Atty. Gen. Richard Blumenthal, whose state is among the 20 suing the company.

Some legal experts, even among Microsoft’s supporters, said it is unlikely the judge will agree to a seven-month delay.

“They won’t get it, but they’ll get something,” said Robert Levy of the Cato Institute, who opposes the antitrust cases. “I guess that’s their strategy: Ask for the world, and be happy if you get half.”

U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, who also handled earlier filings in related cases against Microsoft, scheduled a hearing for today. It was unclear whether he would rule immediately on Microsoft’s requests.