But that's precisely why so many Microsoft rivals favor it.

Microsoft rivals cheered the December ruling, but it was seen mainly as a moral victory with little impact on the fortunes of the software powerhouse.

In recent weeks, Microsoft rivals urged the Justice Department to include such sanctions in any settlement deal.

That would enable consumers to choose from a broader range of differently priced systems with programs produced by Microsoft rivals, the states contend.

Netscape seemed the natural partner for America Online, since both companies were Microsoft rivals.

RealNetworks, a Microsoft rival in media player software, emphasized that it continued to support the commission case.

The principles, he said, seemed to be mainly the work of some Microsoft rivals who are on the association's board.

Sun Microsystems, another Microsoft rival, is considering filing a suit as well, according to executives close to the company.

But that would take six months or a year, and Netscape, backed by Microsoft rivals, was getting ready to begin selling its browser.

Justice Department lawyers and Microsoft rivals say that the company has repeatedly broken antitrust laws.