Microsoft gets hurry-up over antitrust case

A US federal appeals court has rejected Microsoft's bid to delay the antitrust case against it, setting the stage for hearings as early as next month to decide what remedies will be imposed to prevent further abuse of the company's monopoly in PC operating systems.

Barring any further hitch, the case will now go back to a lower court, where a new judge will be chosen to decide what remedies to impose.

The timing for moving the case could be crucial for Microsoft, which is due to roll out its new Windows XP operating system in October.