Department of Justice reveals terms of Microsoft settlement

The US Government has revealed the terms of the settlement ending its lawsuit with Microsoft.

Microsoft must provide rival software developers with information allowing them to develop competing Windows products.

The Justice Department and Microsoft have presented the deal to US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly for review.

Microsoft must allow a panel of three independent experts to stay on its premises to ensure it complies with the settlement.

The experts will have access to the programming code that is the blueprint of Microsoft's Windows software.

Microsoft will also be required to provide software developers with interfaces for its browser, email programs, media players and other Windows additions so that rival developers can write programs that work with those features.

The settlement will also require non-Microsoft internet server software to work with Windows on a personal computer just as well as Microsoft servers do.

And Microsoft must license its operating system to key computer makers for five years and can't require manufacturers to exclusively support Microsoft software.

The company will also be prohibited from retaliating against companies that support competing products.

"This historic settlement will bring effective relief to the market and ensure that consumers will have more choices in meeting their computer needs," said Attorney General John Ashcroft.