The US government "remains concerned" that Microsoft is making it difficult for rivals to access Windows despite being ordered to open up its software to competitors last year. In a report presented to US district judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who presided over the settlement of the long-running Microsoft case, the US government says the court may have to force Microsoft to account for the delay in opening itself up.
The news came as speculation mounted that Microsoft is considering paying a special dividend worth $10bn (£6bn) either as a one-off or spread over successive quarters. The company refused to comment.