Microsoft Corp Class-action Lawsuit
Arkansans who licensed certain varieties of Microsoft Corp. software between Jan. 1, 1998, and Dec. 31, 2004, may be eligible for benefits as part of a proposed $ 37. 8 million settlement for a class-action lawsuit filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court against Microsoft.
The lawsuit accuses Microsoft of using unlawful tactics to establish a monopoly for products such as MS-DOS, Windows, Word, Excel and Office, then selling them at inflated prices.
Microsoft reportedly sold Windows 98 to Arkansas customers for $89.00 when an internal study by Microsoft in November 1997 indicated the software was profitable at $49.00, the suit states.
Microsoft denied the accusations and contends it developed and sold “high quality and innovative†software at “fair and reasonable prices.†On Sept. 7, the court approved a preliminary settlement, and it is scheduled to rule on final approval at a March 6, hearing.
If the settlement is approved, eligible consumers who submit a claim by April 23 — possibly later if extended by the court — would be eligible for vouchers valued at $ 5 to $ 12 for each software license purchased.
Under the settlement, recipients whose total claims fall under $ 950 could use the vouchers toward the purchase of printers, monitors, scanners, keyboards, mice and similar items. Those with claims of $ 950 or greater could use the vouchers for similar products, but only with a computer purchase.
The proposed settlement covers the individual purchase of software products, as well as personal computers bought with Microsoft software installed.
Half the amount of unclaimed settlement benefits would go to public schools in Arkansas where at least half the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs.
The proceeds would be used for computer hardware, software and professional development services.
More information about the lawsuit and proposed settlement may be obtained by calling (800 ) 572-0455 or writing to: Microsoft Products Settlement — Arkansas, P. O. Box 3607, Portland, Ore. 97208-3607.
