Analysts' comments

Some analysts said the settlement doesn't repair the damage caused to Netscape, which has been forced to lay off 13 percent of its workers and report an expected quarterly loss. In a related development, Netscape announced it was giving away its Netscape Communicator and Netscape Navigator products for free in a bid to increase its market share.

''In the real world, Microsoft has already succeeded in nailing Netscape,'' said Gary Arlen, a technology analyst with Arlen Communications in Bethesda, Md. ''The damage may have already been done. Microsoft may have already accomplished its goal in defeating its competitors.''

The main story