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Judge orders Microsoft be split into two

A correspondent

A US federal judge Wednesday ordered Microsoft Corp. split into two companies and pulled up the infotech giant for "stifling competition."

This could be the biggest corporate break-up since AT&T, though Bill Gates is almost certain to go in for an appeal.

US District Judge Thomas Jackson ordered the company be split in two parts - one to oversee the Windows operating system and the second to handle other software of the company.

"Microsoft, as it is presently organised and led, is unwilling to accept the notion that it broke the law or accede to an order amending its conduct," Jackson said.

Microsoft has said a break-up could have "significant and damaging" consequences for all - the company, its clients, the consumers and the industry.

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