Gates: Antitrust Settlement Is A Major Milestone

"Today's ruling, largely affirming the settlement, represents a fair resolution of this case. It's a major milestone," Gates said during the brief press conference from the company's headquarters in Redmond, Wash. "This settlement puts new responsibilities on Microsoft. We recognize we will be closely scrutinized by the government and our competitors."

"It forces more flexibility in information disclosure and software configurations, but it's a good compromise, a good settlement," said Gates, who founded the software giant 27 years ago. Gates said he is "personally committed to full compliance" with the settlement and making the company a responsible industry leader. "It gives us clarity to move forward," he said.

Gates also noted that Microsoft's legal team continues to review the 97-page ruling for possible problem points, but it looks like the worst is behind them.

"At this point, were still reviewing what's come out," he said. "It's quite extensive in what the judge wrote. We're not seeing anything that would be cause for appeal, but we need to make a full assessment."

While Gates emphasized the new responsibilities and accountability Microsoft would face, it's no doubt that the ruling is deemed a sweet victory in the Microsoft inner sanctum.

Even though the company was found in violation of both sections of the Sherman Antitrust Act, it avoided two stiff penalties Microsoft executives feared most, a possible company breakup or government interference in product design.

"As a company, Microsoft has learned and grown throughout the experience for the last four years, and we are committed to moving forward as a responsible leader in an industry that is constantly, constantly changing," Ballmer said.

Channel partners are pleased the Microsoft ordeal is over but said they are concerned that Microsoft may not comply with the decree. That said, many were pleased that the government opted not to meddle into Microsoft product development.

Mark Tebbe, board member of SBI and Co., a solution provider in Salt Lake City, pointed out that the European Union has yet to even start its case. "Microsoft is not out of the woods," he said. "But I think it is awfully hard to have the government manage the creative juices of a company."

Lars Liebeler, attorney with Thaler Liebeler and antitrust counsel for CompTIA, an industry association, praised the approved settlement. "Microsoft is going to be under greater scrutiny from everyone no matter what happens," he said. "The consent decree has enforcement mechanisms in it and avenues for people to complain and bring that in front of the judge."