So - why are the States now 'ignorable', where they weren't before the trial?
Nothing's changed. This is just ANOTHER settlement agreement worked up by the DoJ representing the states and the attorneys representing Microsoft.
The states have to approve the settlement to close the case.
Doug Marker posted a link to an article which estimates that 1/3 of the states are against the settlement, 1/3 said they will sign it, and 1/3 are on the fence.
I don't know if full agreement is necessary, but I get the feeling this settlement will not go through as is.
The issue appears to be that this settlement agreement is somehow evil since the Ashcroft-led DoJ worked on it versus the Reno-led DoJ of the recent past.
IF the case ends on this settlement agreement with all the states capitulating to the DoJ, then you MIGHT have a point.