Novell had its first day in court yesterday, as it seeks $2.5bn in compensation from Microsoft in a long running battle over the office applications market.

Novell, a leading provider of infrastructure software, claims that Microsoft delayed the release of Windows 95 in a deliberate attempt to squash Novell’s presence in the office application market with its WordPerfect writing tool and Quattro spreadsheet.

Microsoft has already paid Novell over $500m in 2004 in a private settlement related to antitrust claims associated with Novell’s NetWare operating system and it has faced similar claims from some 12 other organisations, including the US Department of Justice, since 1998.

On the first day of court proceedings in Utah yesterday, the only official business was the choosing of jury members. Opening statements are expected today.  

Microsoft founder Bill gates is on the list of witnesses for the case and if called will appear in person. The case could last up to seven weeks.