Microsoft Wants RealNetworks Lawsuit Moved

Last month, Seattle-based RealNetworks filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft for more than $1 billion, claiming that the Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft is illegally using its monopolist position with Windows to squeeze out competition in the digital media market.

Microsoft has requested the change of venue, it said in the request, because "for both parties, the trial would be considerably less burdensome to their employees and less disruptive of their businesses if held in Seattle rather than San Jose."

San Jose, the location of the U.S. District Court, Northern District for California, is in the heart of Silicon Valley, where Microsoft competitors such as Sun Microsystems and Oracle are headquartered.

"Many of Microsoft's fiercest competitors are based in Silicon Valley," Microsoft said in the court filing. "For this reason, RealNetworks likely perceives the jury pool in this district to be the most hostile to Microsoft of any jury pool in the country."

RealNetworks will contest the change.

A hearing on the request is scheduled for March 1.

*This story courtesy of Techweb.com.