President Bush will not take any action on today’s appeals court reversal of the court-ordered breakup of software giant Microsoft until the Justice Department analyzes the decision.

"The Justice Department is going to review the decision, they’re studying it now," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters after the federal appeals court ruling was announced. "The president has been informed. The president is going to have further discussions and will await Justice Department review and study." Attorney General John Ashcroft hailed the appeals court ruling. "This is a signficant victory," Ashcroft told reporters at a news conference. "Today’s decision represents a very signficant victory for the antitrust division on the core claim in the Microsoft case that Microsoft engaged in anticompetitive conduct to preserve its monopoly position in computer operating systems," said Charles James, the Justice Department’s top antitrust enforcer. Microsoft declared victory as well. Spokesman Jim Cullinan said the bulk of the appeals ruling was positive and supported its argument that it has the right to keep adding features to Windows. "The central issue in the case has always been the ability of every company to innovate and improve its products, and we are very pleased that today’s ruling reverses the district court on this issue," Cullinan said.