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Californians Can Get Free MS-Settlement PCs
soliaus writes "Seeing as how Microsoft recently lost the anti-trust lawsuit in California, Lindows has taken charge and is offering people free Lindows-related goodies. Basically, Lindows files a claim on your behalf, they keep the money, and you can get a copy of Lindows; a Click-N-Run subscription; a free PC; or other Lindows goods. More information about filing a claim on your own can be found here." (Note that this only applies if you purchased a computer for use in California.) Other companies will probably come out with their own approach to trading settlement money for goods, too, so if Lindows isn't your choice, waiting is a good idea.
This gave me a splendid idea!
California is only one state, right? So why don't the rest of the 49 states in the US sue Microsoft so they have to pay up to 52.8 billion dollars in settlement instead?
That should take care of 'em! Bwhahaahhahah!
What's so bad about being lazy? What if there was a war and nobody showed up?
Nobody can submit claims until two months from now, at which time Alvarado is expected to approve the exact wording of the public notification of the settlement.
So there will be a fairly short window of opportunity.
But this, to me, is much more interesting.
Two-thirds of the unclaimed money will go to California public schools in a mix of donated Microsoft software and cash grants. Although the maximum value of the settlement is $1.1 billion, Microsoft could end up paying as little as $367 million in cash, which is what it would owe to California public schools if no vouchers are claimed. If all vouchers are claimed, Microsoft would be required to pay the maximum, but schools would then get nothing.
Now I wonder how this part of the negotiations worked out. The more that is claimed by Californians, the more they are effectively taking away from the public schools.
So (in a fit of pure speculation and knowing bugger all about how these things work in that great state), is there a chance that educational organizations might start running radio advertisements encouraging people to voluntarily give up their claims so that the money can automatically go to the schools? And, if that were to happen, and be successful in any quantity, might it then be possible for Microsoft to turn around and say, "see, people really didn't care that much after all"?
Now, my initial reaction is to think there's no way this could happen. But then I stop to consider just how little reimbursement would actually be involved for most people, and the fact that they have to go through the whole rigmarole of filling out the paperwork and submitting it and so on (unless they take up Lindows on their offer), and it just might work out that a fair quantity of people decide it's not worth it for them and they'd just as soon have it go to the schools.
I find it interesting you are unable to learn the details of their "instant settlement" plan until steps 7 and 8... after you provide your:
(1) email address;
(2) tell them the number of covered products you purchased, where you purchased them from, and when you purchased them;
(3) tell them what Lindows package you want (sorry no returns or refunds...);
(4) provide them your name, address, phonenumber, and LAST FOUR DIGITS OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ; and then
(5) digitally sign a verification under penalty of perjury...
After giving them that information, then they will tell you the details of the "instant settlement" plan.... I hope someone files a class-action against this site soon....Or better yet, where is the California Attorney General on this one?
--Kobayashi--