U.S. District Judge Stanley Sporkin threw out a proposed
settlement for a "crucial" antitrust case, saying the deal
between Microsoft Corp. and the U.S. Justice Department was "too
narrow" and would allow the company to "continue anti-competitive
practices."  The ruling was "hailed" by many of Microsoft's
competitors, who have complained about Microsoft since the FTC
began looking at the company's business practices in '90.  What
happens next, observers said, is up to the Justice Department and
it could take "several paths."  One would be to appeal the
ruling, arguing that the judge "overstepped his role" in the
case.  But they could also choose to try to work out a new
settlement or void the settlement and fight the company in court
(Elizabeth Corcoran, WASHINGTON POST, 2/15).