Consumer Class Action Settlement Information
Updated: May 05, 2007
Microsoft and class counsel have reached proposed settlements of lawsuits pending in a number of states (listed below) in which plaintiffs have alleged that Microsoft unlawfully used anticompetitive means to maintain a monopoly in markets for certain software, and that as a result, it overcharged consumers who, during specific time periods, licensed in the United States for use in the specific states below Microsoft's operating system software and/or certain of Microsoft's applications software. Microsoft denies these allegations and maintains that it developed and sold high-quality and innovative software products at fair and reasonable prices. Courts have preliminarily approved the proposed settlements in the states listed here, but the proposed settlements will become fully and finally effective only upon final judicial approval. The settlements in Montana, West Virginia, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, the District of Columbia, Tennessee, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts, Arizona, New Mexico, Vermont, New York, and Arkansas have been given final approval.
Pursuant to court directive in connection with the preliminary approval of the proposed settlements listed below, the parties to the proposed settlements listed below are to provide further information ("notice") about the proposed settlements in certain newspapers and on a Web site and must also provide notice to certain class members via first class mail and e-mail. The notice will explain who is covered by the proposed settlements, their rights and obligations under the terms of the proposed settlements, and where additional information about the proposed settlements can be obtained. Microsoft employees are not permitted to discuss the proposed settlements with class members.
Arizona Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Arizona ended on October 1, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in Arizona.
Arkansas Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Arkansas ended on December 22, 2006. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in Arizona.
California Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in California ended on November 15, 2003. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
The Notice Period for the proposed California Government Entities settlement ended on November 5, 2006. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
District of Columbia Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in the District of Columbia ended on March 5, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in the District of Columbia.
Florida Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Florida ended on August 13, 2003. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in Florida.
Iowa Settlement
The proposed settlement in Iowa received preliminary approval on April 20, 2007. The parties to the proposed settlement are currently providing notice as to the proposed settlement.
Kansas Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Kansas ended on February 3, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Massachusetts Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Massachusetts ended on September 13, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Minnesota Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Minnesota ended on September 6, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Montana Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Montana ended on July 24, 2003. Please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period for all information and questions.
Nebraska Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Nebraska ended on August 25, 2005. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
New Mexico Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in New Mexico ended on October 1, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
New York Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in New York ended on April 18, 2006. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
North Carolina Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in North Carolina ended on March 7, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in North Carolina.
North Dakota Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in North Dakota ended on March 7, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in North Dakota.
South Dakota Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in South Dakota ended on February 10, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in South Dakota.
Tennessee Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Tennessee ended on March 22, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in Tennessee.
Vermont Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Vermont ended on October 29, 2004. If you have questions or would like more information, please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
West Virginia Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in West Virginia ended on October 14, 2003. Please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period for all information and questions, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Government entities, including public schools, are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in West Virginia.
Wisconsin Settlement
The Notice Period for the proposed settlement in Wisconsin ended on February 9, 2007. Please refer to the notice package that was mailed to Class Members during the notice period for all information and questions, or visit the Settlement Administrator's Web site.
Federal government entities are not members of the plaintiff class and are not eligible to file claims under the settlement in Wisconsin.
