A Federal appeals court yesterday rejected Microsoft's bid to delay the US government's antitrust case against the company, setting the stage for hearings as early as next month to determine what remedies will be imposed against the company. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied Microsoft's request that the case be delayed while the software giant appeals the case to the Supreme Court.

Barring any further hitch, the case will be sent back to a lower court next Friday.