The release of Windows 98 and the lawsuits surrounding it from both the federal and state authorities have been postponed for a few days while the sides try to come to an agreement about the integration of Internet Explorer into the operating systems and other issues. Windows 98 had been due to ship to personal computer manufacturers today, Friday, but will now ship on Monday May 18, says Microsoft. The company also says the planned June 25 retail release remains on track. Microsoft declined to comment further. It had been widely expected that the government and up to 19 states would issue lawsuits against the company today – a press conference had apparently been scheduled for midday in Washington DC. But it now turns out the sides have been in discussion continually since May 6 when Bill Gates first sat down with government antitrust chief prosecutor Joel Klein following his Windows 98 pep rally in New York (CI No 3,405). And things are set to continue in the vein for a few days more. The other issues being discussed are believed to be the start-up procedure for Windows 98 and what goes on the desktop.
