Microsoft given XP go ahead?

Microsoft's prosecutors are apparently willing to back down on trying to block the shipping of Windows XP. While in a separate move, over 120 federal politicians have signed a petition urging Microsoft and its prosecutors to come to a speedy conclusion.

Members from both Democratic and Republican parties in the House of Representatives signed a letter which read: "Now is the time for all parties to the litigation to address the remaining issues, and provide some finality that protects consumers and allows the American hi-tech industry to innovate and prosper."

Although Microsoft's prosecutors have failed to issue a statement saying they will not try and stop XP from shipping, anonymous sources have spoken to news organisations in the US confirming such sentiments.

The reason they are backing away from a confrontation is the parlous state of the PC business in the US. The Department of Justice and the 18 states prosecuting the software giant fear they would be criticised for further hurting the industry, which is counting on XP to boost PC sales in the fourth quarter.

With companies like Compaq saying that they will ship PCs running XP as soon as next month, the prosecutors do not want a rushed short-term effort to distract them from the long-term goal of controlling Microsoft's dominance.

They aim to use the alleged problems with XP - such as its media and digital photography software - as weapons in the upcoming 'remedy' hearings.