Six states reject Microsoft deal

Six American states in the Microsoft anti-trust case have said that they will refuse to back a proposed settlement to the three-year case.

One-third of the 18 state attorneys general were opposed to the deal reached last week between the company and the U.S. Justice Department, and another third were prepared to sign it after some minor changes. The remainder were undecided and were granted until later today to make up their minds.

Brendan Sullivan, an attorney representing the states, said that those who opposed the deal were "very troubled by the agreement, even in the latest version."

International corporation Microsoft, whose dominance of the computing market was ruled unfair in the run-up to the anti-trust case, said there was absolutely no point in further negotiation.

"The issues in this case have been beaten to death," attorney John Warden said on behalf of the company.