Microsoft Seeks Delay in Penalties Hearing

Microsoft Corp. asked a federal judge for a four-month delay in hearings on antitrust penalties, calling a proposal by nine states a “dramatic expansion” of the case.

The nine states want restrictions on Microsoft’s business practices that go beyond those in a proposed settlement signed by the Bush administration and nine other states. Among other changes, the states want Microsoft to forfeit control of its Internet Explorer browser.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly has been planning to hold hearings in March. Under the new schedule proposed by Microsoft, that hearing wouldn’t take place until the end of July at the earliest.

Microsoft said in a separate court filing that it plans to call Chief Executive Steve Ballmer as one of its witnesses at the hearing.

The company’s shares rose 78 cents to $67.54 on Nasdaq.

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Bloomberg News