Microsoft Corp. would be forced to forfeit control of its Internet Explorer Web browser under a proposal by nine states seeking tough antitrust remedies against the largest software company.
The states are challenging a proposed settlement of the 3 1/2- year-old case signed by the Bush administration and nine other states. It will be up to a federal judge to decide whether the settlement is acceptable or to adopt the harsher approach of the dissenting states.
“Microsoft is a monopolist,” Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told reporters on a conference call. “It’s broken the law. There ought to be a strong remedy that comports with the very dire extent of wrongdoing here.”
The company also should be compelled to give computer makers the choice of installing its Windows operating system without bundled software applications, the states said in a court filing.
