Appeals Court Denies Delay in Microsoft Antitrust Case
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We are just now getting word right now from the Associated Press in a case that we've all been watching very closely: Microsoft. As you may know, Microsoft had been appealing to have the decision that was handed down against it by Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson to be thrown out. It appears now that the federal appeals court has just denied Microsoft's bid to delay this four-year antitrust case. This is quite a blow to Microsoft. This now clears the way for this case now to be turned over to another judge, not the original judge, Judge Jackson. But this case will now be assigned to another judge who will be the one who will decide whatever penalty Microsoft is going to have to face after being found guilty of antitrust violations. Now, the Supreme Court still may factor into this because it may -- Microsoft may actually take this case all the way to the Supreme Court again. And the court there may decide whether or not to take up Microsoft's appeal. And that would be another delay. But that has yet to be seen. Right now, the latest word is that a federal appeals court has now just denied Microsoft's request to delay this case any further.