Justice ready for ‘meaningful’ talks with MS

WASHINGTON: The government is said to be ready to negotiate with Microsoft Corp. if the negotiations are "meaningful" and would also deal with the company’s violations, said US Justice Department antitrust chief Joel Klein.

Klein told a news conference with Attorney General Janet Reno that while settlement is "always the preferred course...it's also imperative that a settlement meaningfully address the harm that's occurred to this market." He added, "The department is prepared to engage in meaningful settlement negotiations."

On Wednesday, a US judge ordered software powerhouse Microsoft to be split in two in a final antitrust ruling that could change the face of computing around the world. In his ruling, District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson said the company would remain intact until all appeals are exhausted. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said the company would challenge the order within days.

Jackson said that he had chosen to break up the company instead of imposing stringent restrictions because Microsoft had proven to be "untrustworthy."

(C) Reuters Limited 2000.