Microsoft appealed to the US Supreme Court yesterday to overturn a ruling that the software giant is an illegal monopoly that has harmed consumers and stifled competition.

Microsoft sent the petition to the high court two days before the case was to be sent to a new judge to decide what penalty the firm should face. Simultaneously, Microsoft asked the appeals court handling the case to hold off any action until the Supreme Court decides whether to take the case. A federal appeals court in June threw out a US District Court judge's order breaking the company in two.