Netscape Communications sued this week seeking unspecified damages in compensation for its losses during the so-called "browser wars" which began in the mid-1990s and resulted in the desktop supremacy of Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Netscape is hoping to exploit the findings of the district and appeals courts in the Justice Department's antitrust case against Microsoft.
On Wednesday, Microsoft fired back. It argues that AOL Time Warner is refusing to co-operate with court orders for full document production which, according to Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler, "stands in stark contrast to their active, behind-the-scenes involvement with the non-settling states."
Microsoft alleges that productions from AOL Time Warner fall far short of what it expects. AOL Time Warner said many of Microsoft's requests for documents were irrelevant, accusing its rival of trying "to harass and burden AOL."