The Judge in Microsoft's legal dispute has dampened hopes of an early end to the case, according to comments made to Bloomberg.

Judge Hubert Legal, said that he "had no hints, either that the EC would withdraw the case or that Microsoft was willing to settle."

Microsoft had been fined €500m for anti-competitive behaviour. Additionally the software giant was ordered to offer a version of its operating system without a bundled media player.

Judge Legal is hearing Microsoft's appeal against that decision. The court is expected to hear the case in October or November this year.

Pre-case evidence processes are underway. Written evidence has been submitted by both sides. Organisations are being consided to give evidence if they have requested to do so.

Microsoft has not requested that the case be fast-tracked.

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