Stephen Oestreich, the lead attorney for the class-action plaintiffs, said the Attorney General's report, in effect, "put the state's blessing on the settlement."

Watching Microsoft be sued - by the federal government, states, class-action plaintiffs and aggrieved rivals - has become a common pastime in the computer industry.

Among other regulations, it would prohibit lawyers from paying brokers to steer potential class-action plaintiffs to them.

Dr. Swartz has not been charged with any misconduct, but he agreed to pay $14 million to settle with the company and class-action plaintiffs.

The settlements together require Liggett to cooperate with state officials and the class-action plaintiffs in their lawsuits against the other cigarette makers.

While the exact reasons behind his career considerations remain unclear, it suggests that the investigation into accusations of kickbacks paid to class-action plaintiffs has gained momentum.

His possible departure suggests that a long-running criminal investigation into accusations of kickbacks paid to class-action plaintiffs has gained momentum.

A lawyer for RJR said that the company would not negotiate with the class-action plaintiffs because "we think we can win."

The bill worries class-action plaintiffs' lawyers.

Still, a big hurdle for class-action plaintiffs, legal experts say, will be the standard software license.