Sony: MS already using Seattlement terms to screw us. IP landgrab [The Register] 

5:23:37 PM   

The U.S. Justice Department on Friday released 47 public comments on the Microsoft Corp. antitrust case and only five of them supported the government's settlement with the software giant. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who is due to decide next month whether to approve the settlement, said she planned to read the comments before making her ruling.

WSJ.com - Major Business News 

5:09:47 PM   

In brief, the nine dissenting states believe - as do others - that Microsoft's argument that it's impossible to divorce such components as Internet Explorer from the base operating system are specious. To butress their argument, the states want to examine the source for Windows XP - specifically, the embedded version of the OS. The article notes potential customers can buy the embedded system in some 10,000 individual pieces. While most are individual device drivers components also include - you guessed it - Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player. Among the state's goals is a 'stripped down' version of Windows that, they believe, would foster competition. Inasmuch as this was among the original anti-trust complaints, it directly addresses concerns of competitors.

WSJ.com - Article 

4:55:24 PM   

If the proposal - which would require companies taking a tax deduction for options granted to employees also take a hit on earnings - makes it to law, expect major changes in how options are used as an incentive by high tech firms. Not to mention an accounting disaster at companies like Microsoft that have used options extensively as an inventive for employees and others. Either way, this one is going to get ugly.

Senators' stock options move could cost MS billions. IT giants could have to pay some tax, shock horror [The Register] 

1:06:20 PM   

Somebody better check that the pigs are fed and ready to fly - the judge overseeing the Microosft anti-trust activities has granted nine dissident states access to the source code.

Judge grants States access to Windows source. There's a quietly dramatic one... [The Register] 

12:42:59 PM