Summer reruns? We scoff at their futile attempts to bore us into submission; the new episodes of "Redmond Justice" are providing us with more than enough excitement in these summer months. The recent scrummage for control following Judge Jackson's breakup ruling was more intrigue than we could handle-- the government and the judge wanting to punt the case to the Supreme Court, and Microsoft trying to wrestle the case into the willing and friendly hands of the Appeals Court instead. And when the dust cleared? Stand back, because here come the Big Guys.

Yes, as faithful viewer Tony Misasi was first to point out, Judge Jackson has officially kicked the case upstairs; a Reuters article has more details. Microsoft must be fuming; the Appeals Court, after all, hasn't exactly been subtle about its pro-Redmond leanings. We imagine that the Supreme Court is far less likely to play Bill Gates's lap dog. But don't count the Appeals Court out just yet; the judge hit the ball to the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court might whack the ball right back if it decides that the Appeals Court should hear the case first. Heck, as far as we know, the Supreme Court could conceivably decline to hear the case at all-- though, of course, that's not terribly likely.

And just when you were thinking that Judge Jackson's irredeemably grumpy, he goes and does something sweet. When he sent the case to the Supreme Court, he also agreed to suspend those conduct restrictions he imposed on Microsoft. The Redmond Giant is free to conduct business as it pleases until the appeal is resolved. Our guess is, since forcing Microsoft to operate within those conduct restrictions would likely have been impossible, he decided not to waste anyone's time with them. Of course, we have to admit we're a little suspicious to see the judge do something so nice; the other distinct possibility is that the judge is handing Microsoft just enough rope to hang itself. Without being forced to modify its business practices by an outside entity, odds are it'll be business as usual at Microsoft-- meaning that other "questionable" practices may well come to light even as the company tries to win its appeal. Too devious? Hey, not for prime time it isn't.