Presiding US District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson gave the plaintiffs until Friday to file what they think the punishment for Microsoft ought to be, and now sources say that's when the paper will be filed -- late Friday afternoon (US Time).
Just what punishment the DOJ and states' attorneys general will ask for is not clear. Various published reports earlier this week said the government was leaning toward suggesting a breakup of the software company.
Some reports said the DOJ would propose Microsoft be broken in two, with one of the companies focusing on Office software and the other on Windows. Still other reports cited sources saying the proposal would call for a three-way split.
None of the reports have been confirmed, and the DOJ declined to comment again Wednesday.
After the filing on Friday, which will be made available to the public, Microsoft has until May 10 to reply, though the company could request an extension.
The government is scheduled to respond to Microsoft's filing by May 17 Judge Jackson will then hear oral arguments from both sides on May 24.
Microsoft has said it will appeal Jackson's ruling.
