In a strongly worded preliminary judgement released on November 5, US District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson determined that Microsoft is, in fact, a predatory monopoly. Within 30 days, attorneys for both sides will be back before Judge Jackson to present their own findings of law, arguments as to how the judge should rule based on the findings of fact. A final decision is not expected until next year. While Microsoft's stock dipped very slightly when the news first arrived, investors, for the most part, have remained very optimistic about the company's future. This optimism is shared by the software giant, as evidenced by a defiant speech by Bill Gates at a recent shareholders meeting. One of the reasons for this is the belief that no matter how the case proceeds in the short term, Microsoft will be able to drag it out for possibly four or five more years with appeals. In addition, the DC Court of Appeals is widely believed to be sympathetic to the company and may try to smooth the waters and offer some partial escape. However, a rarely used section of the federal antitrust statute may allow the DOJ to take the case directly to the Supreme Court, circumventing the Court of Appeals. In either case, the future of the company is still a matter of some debate, as the discussed resources demonstrate.