We are hopeful that we will be able to resolve this matter through a negotiated consent decree rather than through costly and protracted litigation ... (but) we are prepared to file a complaint if the matter is not resolved expeditiously.

The matter before the court was whether Microsoft could be held in contempt for violating a consent decree entered in 1995. The court denied the Justice Department's petition for contempt; the case should have ended there. But on its own initiative, the court proceeded to treat the matter as a tying case and, without giving Microsoft notice or an opportunity to defend itself, issued a preliminary injunction.

We are confident that the court will find we are in compliance with the consent decree.

The appeals court may say it is only talking about Windows 95 in its interpretation of the consent decree, ... It does have an influence. The Court of Appeals will inevitably say something about the appropriateness of Microsoft's behavior.

Nothing official was ever requested. He offered to share what he'd done to comply with the consent decree, but it's a matter of public record what was done, and Chief Costa is more than qualified to continue those programs.

The consent decree (under which the division operated) was the impetus for reforms across the state.