Denial of Microsoft appeal urged

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department on Friday urged the Supreme Court to reject an appeal by Microsoft, saying there should be no further delay in imposing punishment on the computer software giant for monopolistic practices.

The software manufacturer argues that the case is ripe for the high court's review, "but Microsoft offers no satisfactory explanation of why that is so," states the Justice Department filing.

The federal appeals court in the District of Columbia agreed with the district court's finding that Microsoft engaged in an unlawful course of conduct to maintain its monopoly for personal computer operating systems. But the appeals court overturned Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson's order for Microsoft to be split into two separate companies, sending the case back to the lower court and ordering that a new judge decide the punishment.