States discuss Microsoft options

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Meetings are continuing to decide which of the states will sign a settlement with software maker Microsoft Corp, according to an attorney general involved in discussions with colleagues from 18 states and the District of Columbia.

Only Massachusetts has rejected the accord publicly, but the attorney general predicted others would join in opposition.

The attorney general, who asked not to be identified, predicted on Monday that the number opposed would be significant.

The states must tell Washington District Court under Judge Colleen Kolar-Kotelly whether they will agree to the settlement by 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

The Justice Department announced on Friday it reached a tentative agreement with Microsoft to settle the four-year old antitrust case against the company.

The agreement would impose a broad range of restrictions on the company's business practices for at least five years.

The agreement does not cover a concurrent action against the company by the state attorneys general.

Friday had been a deadline for the two sides in the case to reach an out-of-court settlement or have a federal judge schedule hearings on possible penalties for the company, which was found guilty last year of anti-competitive practices.