Microsoft gets expedited appeal

A U.S. Appeals Court has granted Microsoft Corp. an expedited appeal in its case with the Department of Justice.

Microsoft had appealed a temporary restraining order placed against it by a U.S. Federal Court, and was seeking to have its appeal processed faster than usual.

Last week, DOJ argued that the company does not face major hardship by complying with the injunction and should not be granted an expedited hearing.

The moves are just the latest in what are sure to be several months' worth of legal maneuvering between the two parties, as each seeks to gain an edge in an antitrust battle that could have a profound impact on the future of Microsoft software and the software industry in general. Full story to follow.