Atleast as far as I know, fines, even disputed, of that size are paid immediately into a escrow account. When the dispute is settled, the fine gets paid to who

Atleast as far as I know, fines, even disputed, of that size are paid immediately into a escrow account. When the dispute is settled, the fine gets paid to who won the dispute. So MS likely had to shell out that 2004 antitrust immediately.