Microsoft antitrust deal faces challenge

The Federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted two trade groups their request to appeal the landmark antitrust settlement between Microsoft and the U.S. Department of Justice, in the latest setback to the controversial settlement. The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) will have their appeals case get underway beginning in May.

The two organizations sought to intervene in the case in December. Under the Tunney Act, the courts must determine whether the antitrust settlement is in the public's best interest. The historic settlement was approved in U.S. District Court by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.