A US judge yesterday rejected Microsoft's request to delay an antitrust suit and ordered the computer-chip giant to turn over documents on its competitors, the US Justice Department said.

In denying the request for delay, Federal District Judge Thomas Jackson also ordered Microsoft to turn over documents concerning rival computer-chip manufacturers Intel and Apple, the department reported.

The documents relate to alleged communication by Microsoft with Intel and Apple that, according to the department, illustrate an illegal, anti-competitive tendency by Microsoft.

The antitrust trial against Microsoft, filed jointly by the Justice Department and 20 states, is set to start on September 23rd.