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Microsoft to appeal against 'split' order

Microsoft Corporation on Thursday said it plans to file its notice of appeal to stay US District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's order to break the world's largest software company into two firms.

In a statement released worldwide, Microsoft chairman and founder Bill Gates said the ruling has imposed burdensome restrictions on the company's ability to develop new products and work with industry partners.

"We have a very strong case on appeal and we look forward to resolving these issues through the appeals process and putting this case behind us once and for all. Two years ago, I said that we would vigorously defend a principle that is critical to both consumers and the future of the high-tech industry -- the right of every company to innovate and improve its products,'' Gates said.

He said that the ruling is inconsistent with past decisions by the Appeals Court and the Supreme Court that support product improvement. "It is unreasonable in its call to break up Microsoft and regulate software design," he said.

Microsoft president and chief executive officer Steve Ballmer said that Microsoft's employees would continue to focus on building the next generation of great software which will make the Internet far more useful and easier to use for consumers.

UNI

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