reports the DOJ is considering anti-trust action against Microsoft for its activity in the internet browser market. Read it here.
21 Oct 1997vnunet.com reports that the DOJ wants to fine Microsoft $1m a day for violating anti-monopoly agreements. At the time, Bill Gates is worth around $37bn, meaning he could pay the fine every day for a hundred years and still have $500m left over. Read it here.
10 Nov 1997Texas sues Microsoft for allegedly blocking the anti-trust probe. Read it here.
5 Dec 1997 A damning internal memo from Microsoft's executives seems to show that the firm intentionally used Windows dominance to establish its Internet Explorer browser. Read it here.
21 Jan 1998 Microsoft lawyers anger Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson for the first time. The Judge would become increasingly outspoken regarding Microsoft's conduct, paving the way for yesterday's decision. Read it here.
12 May 1998 vnunet.com reports that the DOJ and US states are expected to sue Microsoft later this week. The lawsuit is filed eight days later. Read it here.
13 May 1998vnunet.com predicts that Microsoft could be split up. Read it here.
30 May 1998 "It seems clear that it will be very hard to increase browser market share on the merits of IE 4 alone. It will be more important to leverage the OS asset to make people use IE instead of Navigator," states an internal memo from Microsoft group vice president Jim Allchin, as more evidence is revealed.
24 Jun 1998 Microsoft wins on appeal against an injunction banning it from bundling Internet Explorer with Windows 1995. Read it here.
19 Oct 1998 The trial begins.
13 Jan 1999 The US Government rest its case.
14 Jan 1999 Microsoft is scolded by Judge Penfield Jackson on the first day of its defence.
18 Jan 1999 Sun boss Scott McNealy says Microsoft shouldn't be broken up. Oracle chief Larry Ellison seems to agree.
2 Feb 1999 Larry Ellison says Microsoft should be split up.
27 Feb 1999 Microsoft rests its case.
28 Sep 1999 Analysts predict Microsoft won't be split up. Read it here.
20 Nov 1999 A mediator is appointed by the court in an attempt to deliver a settlement between the US Government's Department of Justice (DoJ) and Microsoft. Read it here.
28 Mar 2000 6 April deadline set for settlement. Read it here.
1 Apr 2000 Settlement talks collapse.
3 Apr 2000 Verdict goes against Microsoft. Read it here.
28 Apr 2000 US Government orders Microsoft to be split into two companies.
6 Jun 2000 Judge Jackson orders Microsoft to be split up. Read it here.
9 Jun 2000 Analysts condemn the verdict. Read it here.
20 Jun 2000 Trial goes to Supreme Court. Read it here.
26 Sep 2000 Supreme Court says it will not hear the case and sends it to the appeals court. Read it here.
28 Nov 2000 Microsoft's appeals brief alleges Judge Jackson made many mistakes. Read it here.
28 Feb 2001 Appeals court criticises Judge Jackson's handling of the case. Read it here.
29 Jun 2001 Appeals court overturns the ruling that Microsoft should be split up.