WASHINGTON, Dec 22: Microsoft asked a court on Friday for a four-month delay in proceedings with the states that have rejected its antitrust settlement with the US government as not tough enough.

Microsoft said it needed more time because of the dramatic expansion of the scope of the litigation by the states, calling their proposal extreme and far-reaching.

US Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who is charged with the matter, had called hearings in March on the remedies to applied to Microsoft.

Microsoft’s petition said it needs until at least July 29 to prepare expert reports, take statements and prepare exhibits in preparation for full hearings.

But the company also said Microsoft cannot be accused of seeking to delay the imposition of a remedy in this case because Microsoft began complying with a settlement with the US Department of Justice and some of the states in the original antitrust suit.

Microsoft, found guilty last year of abusing its operating system monopoly, reached a settlement with the US Justice Department last month that restricts some business practices.

But half of the 18 states involved in the case said the deal was too soft on Microsoft.

Their proposal included an order that Microsoft offer a stripped-down version of Windows without its Internet browser and multimedia software, and that it reveal the source code on its browser.

The holdout states asked the court to appoint a “special master” to ensure Microsoft complies with any ruling.

Reacting to the request, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said in a statement, If there is one thing that characterizes Microsoft’s conduct in this case even more than denial, it is delay, delay, delay.

The states are ready to move ahead. We have proposed reasonable and fair remedies consistent with the Court of Appeals’ decision, and Judge Kollar-Kotelly has established a reasonable and expeditious schedule to determine the remedies. Let’s get on to the conclusion of this case.

The nine states involved in the case are California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah and West Virginia, joined by the US capital District of Columbia.

In a separate case involving private antitrust suits, a judge in Baltimore, Maryland, delayed a decision on Microsoft’s proposal to donate some one billion dollars in software and other high-tech aid for schools, a lawyer in the case said.

Steven Benz, a lawyer representing California consumers, said Judge Frederick Motz was expected to rule on the case in early January.

A deal announced November 20 aimed at settling more than 100 private suits, has been criticized in some quarters for giving Microsoft more access to the education market where rival Apple is strong.

The judge decided to allow more time for mediation, Benz said.

He will let the mediation go on, the lawyer said. If it’s not fruitful, he will issue his ruling on or about January 10.—AFP