Report: Microsoft leaning toward proxy fight

Updated 10:40 p.m., with details from Wall Street Journal report.

Microsoft is leaning toward waging a proxy fight, according to a CNBC report, citing sources close to the software giant.

The report speculates that Microsoft may launch its opposition slate of directors on Wednesday. According to a report in TechCrunch, the opposition slate may include such folks as:

Kenneth Goldman, former Siebel Systems chief financial officer; Richard Kashnow, former Raychem chief executive; James Mooney, Sirius Satellite Radio and chairman of Virgin Media; Vanessa Wittman, former Adelphia Communications chief financial officer; Ross Levinsohn, former Fox Interactive Media president; John Chapple, former Nextel Partners chief executive who now operates investment firm Hawkeye Investments in Washington state; Edward Meyer, former CEO of advertising powerhouse Grey Global Group; and Jaynie Studenmund, former chief operating officer of Yahoo-acquired Overture Services and former board member of Microsoft-acquired Aquantive.

Update: The Wall Street Journal said Tuesday night that Microsoft was nearing a decision on its next move and could announce its plan as early as Wednesday. The report said that nominating its own slate of directors was one option that was still on the table, but said the software maker could yet head down a different path.