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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The judge overseeing the Microsoft antitrust trial has ordered a mediator to try and bring the case to an out-of-court settlement.
As expected, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly named the mediator, Boston University Professor Eric Green, after neither Microsoft nor the government had reached a settlement by Oct. 12. The order was filed Friday evening.
Kolllar-Kotelly said she was “satisfied, at this point, that the parties have been diligent in their efforts.”
The judge ordered in late September that Microsoft, the government and 18 state attorneys general work around the clock to reach an accord by Nov. 2. If unsuccessful, the final remedy phase of the trial will begin next March.
Legal experts generally agree that a settlement is highly unlikely. Microsoft has hued to a delay strategy and the Department of Justice is pushing for tough punishments.