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MSFT settlement talks?
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November 8, 1999: 6:42 a.m. ET
Judge asks both sides privately to meet in chambers, report says
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - The federal judge who found that Microsoft has a monopoly in personal computer operating systems has asked the software maker and government prosecutors to meet with him soon -- a move that could lead to early settlement talks, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
The newspaper, citing people familiar with the case, said Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson privately asked the two sides to meet in his chambers as early as next week for a scheduling conference that could also be used to explore the prospects of settling the case.
In his preliminary ruling released Friday, Judge Jackson found that Microsoft has monopoly power in PC operating systems and has harmed consumers through its anti-competitive behavior, giving the government a pivotal victory in the long-running antitrust trial.
Legal experts said over the weekend that the judge's tough ruling puts new pressure on the two sides to settle the case, brought by the Justice Department and the 19 states.
In its report, the newspaper said that Microsoft officials, in a conference call with industry analysts on Saturday, conceded the decision was a "rout," but did not say if the company officials discussed any possible settlement.
Microsoft (MSFT) shares, which closed down 3/16 Friday at 91-9/16, traded at 83-1/2 in Instinet pre-opening electronic trading Monday.
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