Bill Gates to appear in court

Bill Gates: Ready to testify

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates is to testify in person to a US court in an effort to beat anti-trust lawsuits brought by a group of US states.

Mr Gates' decision to take the witness stand reverses his policy of non-appearance during Microsoft's original anti-trust trial last year, when he spoke to the court only through videotaped interviews.

Microsoft said on Friday that Mr Gates will tell the court that the sanctions sought by the nine US states would harm the interests of consumers, and make it more difficult for computer firms to share information.

Mr Gates, the world's richest man, is due to give evidence on Monday.

Second round

Microsoft settled a federal anti-trust prosecution last year, but nine US states are still in court pushing for tougher penalties.

In the original trial, the courts found Microsoft guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, but the software giant managed to avoid being broken up.

There has been speculation that Mr Gates' refusal to give evidence in person at the first trial made him appear uncooperative, harming Microsoft's defence.

Microsoft is also facing separate lawsuits from media giant AOL Time Warner and network computer maker Sun Microsystems.

Both companies claim that Microsoft has used its ownership of the dominant Windows operating system to edge rivals' products out of the market.