Microsoft vs US Justice Dept

The court battle between the US and Microsoft has been described as the most important anti-trust (monopoly) action in post-war American history.
BBC News Online provides full coverage of a legal battle which could change the face of the computer industry.

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Monopoly blow for Microsoft

Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson issues his "findings of fact" and rules that Microsoft used its power to target competitor companies.

Other stories:

• US Government hails monopoly ruling
• Ruling shakes Microsoft
• Judge's ruling in excerpts

Multimedia
Bill Gates: 'We're confident our integrity will be upheld'
The BBC's Richard Quest: 'This is what the government said all along'
Texts and transcripts
The full judgement

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Ruling brings settlement closer

The ruling went further than many had expected but makes the prospect of a deal more likely, writes BBC News Online's Kevin Anderson.

Other stories:

• Microsoft shares buffeted
• How much will it hurt Microsoft?
• Microsoft steps up lobbying efforts

Analysis: Microsoft taken to task
Independent Microsoft expert Graham Lea explains what it all means.

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Microsoft's monopoly: The charge sheet

Why did the US government and 19 states feel moved to take Microsoft to court - and what kind of threat did they believe it posed?

Other stories:

• Timeline of legal action
• The trial's key moments
• Profile: The judge who frightens Microsoft

Analysis: Graham Lea investigates
Graham Lea reported exclusively on the trial for BBC News Online. Read his reports as he watched the battle commence.

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The software superpower

From humble beginnings, Microsoft has now overtaken General Motors to be the world's biggest corporation. How did it do it?

Other stories:

• Microsoft's 'Web lifestyle'
• Gates fortune tops $100bn
• Windows 98: What the critics said
• Windows to lose crown 'within five years'

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Flashback: How the US accused IBM

Microsoft is not the first to have been accused of anti-trust activities. One of the most famous cases to date was against that other giant of computing, IBM.

Other stories:

• AOL snaps up Netscape
• Intel wins last-minute reprieve
• Hats off to Linux!