Judge Stays Out of Microsoft, AOL Tiff For Now

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said in an order issued late Thursday that the issues are narrow enough to be resolved without her intervention. She nevertheless ordered that AOL report to her Monday morning if there is still no agreement.

Microsoft and AOL traded legal jabs Thursday, with the software giant claiming AOL hasn't fully revealed how it has aided the nine states seeking tougher sanctions against Microsoft for violations of antitrust law.

The U.S. Justice Department and nine other states in the case have signed on to a proposed settlement.

Microsoft says AOL has failed to comply with subpoenas that require it to reveal contacts with the states demanding the tougher measures.

AOL says it will agree to a faster schedule to produce requested documents but has criticized Microsoft for breaking off talks to resolve certain procedural disputes.

Earlier this week, AOL launched a private lawsuit alleging Microsoft's unfair business practices harmed its Netscape Web browser subsidiary.

Kollar-Kotelly made note of the tension between the companies in her order.

"[The aspersions cast in the parties' pleadings as to the respective motivations of the opposing party do not advance the resolution of the issues presently before the court, and in truth, only serve to lengthen needlessly the parties' filings," the judge said.

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