Microsoft Still Under Watch
For the next two years, some of Microsoft's business practices will continue to be closely monitored by the U.S. Government due to antitrust law concerns. Microsoft was supposed to be let off the hook this year, but the investigation has received an extension.
"Microsoft had already agreed to the lengthier scrutiny sought by the Justice Department and the attorneys general in 17 states. The company has struggled since 2002 with a key provision in its landmark antitrust settlement requiring it to disclose to its competitors sensitive details about some of its software.
Government lawyers said they were prepared to extend oversight of Microsoft's business activities through 2012 if they deem it necessary. In court papers, they had described Microsoft's efforts under parts of the settlement as "disappointing" and "not very encouraging," but they also said Microsoft's failures were neither willful nor systematic."
