Justice out of the window
Microsoft Corp, the US software giant, has been given breathing space by the nation's Justice Department. The company, all set to launch its new, much-vaunted operating system, Windows 95 -- which is expected to create a revolution in the world of electronics -- ran into trouble when it decided to piggyback its new online software on the release. The government began investigations into possible violations of its strict anti-trust laws: was Microsoft using its virtual 3/5ths dominance in operating systems to steal a march into the online market as well? It summoned Microsoft to court, bringing the matter close to combustion. But on the eve of the hearing, the subpoena was mysteriously withdrawn. Now legal experts are wondering about the implications of the move. Most of them are convinced that the government is gearing up for a showdown and is about to file a lawsuit against the Microsoft.