|
Microsoft motion denied
|
 |
September 17, 1998: 2:58 p.m. ET
Federal judge won't immediately limit scope of government's evidence
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - A federal judge Thursday rejected Microsoft Corp.'s bid to limit the government's scope of its antitrust suit before the trial begins.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson told Microsoft's attorneys that he would consider the relevance of the government's evidence as the trial moves along, but he said issuing a ruling now would be premature. The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 15.
Microsoft officials couldn't be reached for immediate comment.
Microsoft filed a motion earlier this month to limit the issues and evidence the Justice Department and 20 states can present in the trial.
Specifically, Microsoft sought to block government lawyers from offering evidence relating to the company's dealings with Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL), Intel Corp. (INTC) and RealNetworks Inc. (RNWK). The government has accused Microsoft of using its muscle to force those companies to limit their presence in emerging multimedia technologies.
Microsoft has called these charges an "11th hour attempt" by the government to expand its case and said the issues have no relationship to the original complaint.
Microsoft has argued the government's complaint, which was filed in May, centers around the company abusing its monopoly position in the computer operating system market by integrating its Internet Explorer Web browser with the Windows 98 operating system.
Microsoft (MSFT) shares dropped 2-13/16 to 105-3/8 in mid-afternoon trading. 
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
