Microsoft Antitrust Case Returns to Federal Court

The Microsoft antitrust battle is headed back to federal district court this week following an appeals court ruling Friday that rejected the software company’s bid to delay the case pending its long-shot appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington turned down Microsoft’s plea for a minimum six-week delay, saying the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant failed to “demonstrate any substantial harm that would result from the reactivation of proceedings.”

Government attorneys have been pushing to expedite the resolution of the case, saying the uncertainty is bad for consumers and the technology industry.

Microsoft had argued that it was more practical to wait until the Supreme Court made a decision.

A new federal judge could be assigned as early as this week, after the case is returned to district court, according to Joseph Alexander, a court spokesman. Depending on the schedule of the new judge, hearings could begin by the end of the month, attorneys said.