The key events leading up to Monday's decision by the US Department of Justice and a number of states to take antitrust action against Microsoft:
- June 1990: Federal Trade Commission secretly investigates possible collusion between Microsoft and IBM.
- 5 February 1993: FTC takes no action against Microsoft after two to two vote of its commissioners.
- 21 August 1993: US Justice Department takes over Microsoft investigation.
- 15 July 1994: Microsoft and Justice Department sign consent decree that says Microsoft cannot require computer-makers that license its Windows operating system to also license any other software product, but Microsoft may develop "integrated products."
- October 1994: Microsoft announces proposed US$1.5 billion acquisition of Intuit Inc., maker of Quicken personal finance software.
- 14 February 1995: US District Judge Stanley Sporkin throws out consent decree as too easy on Microsoft.
- April 1995: Microsoft drops Intuit acquisition in face of Justice Department lawsuit.
- 16 June 1995: Appellate court overturns Sporkin ruling at joint request of Microsoft and Justice Department. Case is then transferred to a different district court judge.
- 21 August 1995: US District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson approves consent decree.
- September 1996: Government investigates possible violation of consent decree by Microsoft.
- April 1997: Microsoft announces purchase of WebTV Networks for $425 million. Justice approves purchase in August.
- 20 October 1997: Justice Department asks a federal judge to fine Microsoft $1 million a day for allegedly violating the consent decree by bundling Internet Explorer with Windows 95. Microsoft says browser is an integrated part of the operating system.
- 11 December, 1997: Jackson issues preliminary injunction against Microsoft, requires unbundling of Web browser from operating system. Appoints "special master" to advise him.
- 16 December 1997: Microsoft appeals Jackson's decision, offers computer-makers old or "broken" version of Windows 95 without Internet Explorer. One day later, Justice Department asks Jackson to hold Microsoft in contempt for failing to obey order.
- 13 to 15 January 1998: Jackson rejects assertions of Microsoft lawyers and a company executive during contempt hearing.
- 16 January 1998: Microsoft appeals appointment of special master to US Court of Appeals.
- 22 January 1998: Facing certain contempt citation, Microsoft signs agreement giving computer-makers freedom to install Windows 95 without Internet Explorer icon.
- 2 February 1998: Court of Appeals halts proceedings before special master.
- 12 May 1998: Appeals Court rules that injunction against Microsoft should not apply to Windows 98, allowing Microsoft to proceed with launch of new product.
- 18 May 1998: Justice Department, 20 states, and the District of Columbia file major new antitrust cases alleging Microsoft abuses its market power to thwart competiton.
