Microsoft, U.S. Defend Antitrust Settlement

Microsoft Corp. and the Bush administration defended their antitrust settlement, and the world’s largest software maker urged a U.S. appeals court in Washington to reject Massachusetts’ call for tighter restrictions on its business practices.

Microsoft, which negotiated the settlement after the appeals court ruled the company illegally protected its Windows monopoly, said the agreement was approved by a trial judge who “considered but rejected” more restrictions.

All the states except Massachusetts dropped the quest for tougher remedies and negotiated settlements with Microsoft.

R. Hewitt Pate, the Justice Department’s chief antitrust enforcer, said that “the Microsoft settlement is in the public interest and the department remains committed to actively enforcing its terms.”