Microsoft and the government may be closer to settling their landmark antitrust case amid word that the trial judge could rule as early as tomorrow, legal experts say. U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson on Tuesday called representatives from the government and the software giant to his chambers to see how far settlement talks have progressed, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post today. Legal experts have long speculated that Jackson would call both sides together shortly before his ruling to determine how far settlement talks had progressed. The judge's call would likely spur the parties involved to make a decision, if they were close enough indeed to settle.
Reports indicate that both sides have softened their respective positions for a possible settlement.
The government has backed away from demands that the software giant be broken up, while Microsoft is now more willing to accept restrictions on how it manages its business. Microsoft shares soared on the news. The stock was one of the most heavily traded issues on the Nasdaq market, gaining more than 6 percent in early trading. I've been telling investors to hold onto their stock. Legal experts said Tuesday's meeting may have been a precursor to a potential ruling in the case.