Fast Process Sought on Microsoft Case

The Justice Department asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for an accelerated schedule in Microsoft Corp.’s appeal of antitrust violations, which would take less than half the time sought by the company. The Justice Department asked for a process that would last until Dec. 22 with briefs at less than half the length sought by the company. Microsoft has until Oct. 10 to reply. In June, a lower court judge ordered the company split in two after finding it competed unfairly to protect a monopoly in its Windows operating system. Last week, the Supreme Court turned down a direct appeal of the case, rejecting a Justice Department argument that quick action was needed because technology evolves swiftly. Instead, the high court sent the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Microsoft told the appeals court earlier this week the two sides should take five months to exchange filings in the case.