Microsoft accused of contempt

The United States Justice Department has accused the computer software giant, Microsoft, of disobeying a federal court ruling over its browser programme, Internet Explorer.

Microsoft insists that all computers using its Windows Ninety-Five operating system -- that's more than ninety-per-cent of the market -- must also install its own internet browser.

The court said this was an illegal breach of competition laws, in an attempt to create a monopoly.

But Microsoft has refused to back down, so now the Justice Department has asked the court to fine it a million dollars a day for contempt.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service