It struck illegal deals with PC makers and Internet Service Providers excluding competing Web browsers. It attempted to cut off consumer access to the competing Netscape Web browser. Judge Richard Posner of the U.S. 7th Circuit Court really has his work cut out for him as mediator, now that the DoJ has announced it's playing hardball. While both sides are on record as saying they would prefer a negotiated settlement, one wonders whether the recent DoJ statement will help or hinder that process. The 65-page DoJ filing does stop short of recommending or even suggesting any specific 'remedies' in the case.
Indications are that the DoJ favours a 'structural remedy'.
In fact, it recently retained the New York-based consulting group Greenhill and Co. to look into the financial implications of a Microsoft breakup. There are also reports that top DoJ officials have privately consulted other major software firms on the 'remedy' issue. Microsoft can now officially respond to the DoJ filing. The deadline for that submission is January 17, 2000. If settlement talks have not proven fruitful by that point, each side can file yet another statement in an attempt to bolster its position prior to a court-ordered settlement.