Firm sues Microsoft over failed operating system

Be Incorporated has launched legal action against Microsoft claiming it stifled its operating system.

The company claims it was forced out of business as a result of agreements Microsoft forged with computer makers.

It says it could not find a manufacturer prepared to embrace both its software and Windows.

The company's lawyers allege that third parties were prohibited from supporting the BeOS software because they would have risked violating earlier agreements with Microsoft.

Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler says the company is still reviewing the lawsuit and can't comment.

Be sold most of its intellectual property assets to Palm last November, and the company is in the process of dissolution.

Its representatives insist it can still sue, even though it no longer actually holds the rights to the operating system.