That evidence, according to (see page 7654 of the transcript), includes an expert review of Windows XP source code provided to the plaintiffs' attorneys before the Comes vs. Microsoft Corp. trial began in December.

"We intend to present this evidence to the jury; we're just not sure when," said Elizabeth Kniffen, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs allege Microsoft's anticompetitive practices resulted in the company overcharging Iowan consumers. They are seeking as much as US$350 million in damages.

The presiding judge in the case on Tuesday granted the plaintiffs' attorneys and expert witnesses the right to inform the DOJ about the evidence.

APIs allow independent software companies to create applications that run on Microsoft's platforms, such as Windows. The 2002 settlement of the federal antitrust case required Microsoft to share its APIs with third-party companies and to appoint a panel of three people with full access to Microsoft's systems, records and source code for five years to ensure compliance.