The proposal was filed after the U.S. financial markets had closed for the day.
This has been about protecting American consumers and the viability of the software industry."
These regulations do not help the software industry in any way.
They simply retard the speed at which it can move ahead."
The operating system company would be barred from creating software that would interfere with competing products.
The two companies could not merge for 10 years.
Besides proposing a breakup, the government is requesting “conduct remedies” that restrict Microsoft’s business practices.
Those limits could be imposed immediately after Jackson’s final ruling and last as long as four years.
It would have to provide equal licensing terms to manufacturers.
It could not force any agreement with manufacturers requiring them to promote, distribute or use Microsoft products.
Microsoft will have until May 10 to file a response to today’s government proposal.
He added that the hearings “would be over in a matter of two weeks or less.
So, the schedule will still be fast.”
At any point in the process, however, a settlement could be reached, legal experts have said.
Jackson’s April 3 ruling followed thecollapseof settlement talks between Microsoft and the government.
The case has been followed closely by politicians, economists, executives,/news/0-1003-201-1629021-0.htmllawyers, investors and consumers.
On Tuesday, Kleinbriefedthe White House on the remedy proposal at the request of the Clinton administration.
Earlier, congressional leaders pledged toinvestigatethe Justice Department’s role in prosecuting Microsoft.
News.com’s Scott Ard, John Borland and Rachel Konrad contributed to this report.
