While we hardly like to characterize the Federal Appeals Court as some sort of "Antitrust Nazi," we can't pass up this chance to summarize its latest message to Microsoft thusly: "NO STAY FOR YOU!!" Yes, kiddies, "Redmond Justice" is back in full swing, and the appeals court continues to surprise and delight fans of antitrust drama by shaking off its early characterization as a Microsoft-friendly entity and instead sending Bill's minions running for cover. True, the appellate court threw out Judge Jackson's ruling that Microsoft should be split in two-- but it did assert that Jackson was right to rule that Microsoft was a monopoly who had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. The appeals court therefore kicked the case back to a (non-Jackson) district judge to rule on a punishment.

Microsoft claimed (through tightly-clenched teeth) that this ruling was a victory-- but immediately appealed to the Supreme Court and begged the Court of Appeals not to boot the case back to a new judge until the Supreme Court had decided whether or not to step in. Hey, kids, can you say "stall tactic"? We knew you could. Well, guess what? As noted by faithful viewer Andy Van Buren, that rockin' appeals court just pulled a Fonzie and told Microsoft to sit on it. According to a Reuters article, Microsoft's request for yet another delay has been denied, and a lower court will begin deciding the company's punishment in a mere week's time.

Granted, even without the delay Microsoft so transparently tried to score, the company will likely still be able to get Windows XP out the door before any remedy can take effect, but that's largely up to how the lower court handles the next phase of this marathon case. (Wow, does anyone remember when "Redmond Justice" was supposed to be short?) In any event, we're heading into the home stretch, now, so start planning those Series Finale parties...