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Judge Calls 3-Way Split of Microsoft "Excellent," Reports Say

Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson hinted that Microsoft Corp. should be split into three separate companies, not two as the Justice Department originally proposed, according to published sources.

Jackson called third-party breakup proposals which called for a three-way split of Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) "excellent," according to CNN.com. The proposal calls for Microsoft to be divided into one company handling operating systems, one handling Office and other software, and a third handling Internet properties such as MSN, CNET News (www.news.com) reports.

Additionally, CNN.com reports that Judge Jackson said that he will hold no more hearings regarding the breakup, indicating that he may be close to handing down a decision. He has asked the Justice Department (www.usdoj.gov) for a revised breakup proposal by Friday, and Microsoft will have 48 hours to review the plan. A decision could come as early as Tuesday, says CNN.

Judge Jackson's three-way breakup plan comes after questions arose on whether a two-way split would actually foster competition or simply create two powerful monopolies. - Isaac Slepner

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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