Microsoft won’t be split

The Department of Justice will no longer seek the breakup of Microsoft, citing a desire to expedite a resolution to the antitrust case against the software maker. The announcement comes just days before Microsoft and the DOJ are required to submit a report to the case’s presiding judge on the status of potential antitrust remedies.

Microsoft last year was judged to hold an illegal monopoly over operating systems and was ordered separated in spring 2000. The separation order was overturned on appeal, though the monopoly ruling was upheld.

The assurance that Microsoft will not be broken up means the company will maintain control of both its operating-systems division and its software division, which handles the company’s messenger product, upcoming versions of which include voice-over-IP and videoconferencing functions.

--Toby Weber, staff writer