A total of 34 US states have opposed a motion by Microsoft that the company hopes will dismiss an antitrust action being pursued by nine US states plus the District of Columbia. The company argues that only the Justice Department should have jurisdiction in such questions of antitrust law. The Justice Department and another nine states have already agreed settlement terms with Microsoft. The parties are waiting to hear whether or not the court will approve these terms.

Today, the nine litigating states and the District of Columbia will argue in court for stronger penalties against Bill Gates’ software empire. On Friday, they were supported by 25 other states in arguing that they should have authority to continue an antitrust case even if the federal government elects to settle.

Microsoft says that the continued litigation by nine states causes “conflicting national competition policy.”

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