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Microsoft CA Settlement Claim Forms Hit Mailboxes
mattOzan writes "So I got my Standard Claim Form in the mail today from the California State Superior Court, as I assume many other California residents did as well. This is the mechanism to get a chunk of the US$1.1 billion settlement Microsoft reached with the state of California for their anti-trust lawsuit. All the legal details (PDF) can be obtained online.
Some of the fine print: the money will be doled out as vouchers based on what qualifying MS software you or your company obtained between 1995 and 2001 (nothing for 'server computers' or Macs). Two-thirds of all unclaimed money will be given to low-income California schools for computer purchases, and vouchers may also be donated to charity."
The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft violated North Carolina's antitrust and unfair competition laws. The story is here.
The settlement, which last Thursday received preliminary approval from the North Carolina Business Court, will make vouchers available to class members that may be used to buy any manufacturer''s desktop, laptop and tablet computers, any software available for sale to the general public and used with those computer products, and specified peripheral devices for use with computers. If all class members claim and are issued the vouchers for which they are eligible under the settlement, the maximum value of the vouchers issued to class members will total approximately $89 million.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Microsoft will provide one- half of the value of the "unissued vouchers" - i.e., one-half of the difference between $89 million and the value of vouchers issued to class members - to North Carolina''s public schools in the form of vouchers that may be used by schools to purchase a broad range of hardware products, Microsoft(R) and non-Microsoft software, and professional development services. In the event any vouchers issued to class members are not redeemed, Microsoft will provide one-half of the value of those unredeemed vouchers to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Given that Apple has so much of a huge market share in schools, one has to wonder if vouchers good for MS products are a way for MS to start claiming some of that Apple market share as an intended/unintended side effect. One really wonders when you see the quote from their counsel...
"We're pleased by the opportunity to help schools all across North Carolina get the computers and software they need," said Brad Smith, general counsel for Microsoft. "This settlement allows us to focus on the future and building great software, and avoids the cost and uncertainty of litigation."
Seeing "non-Microsoft" software spelled out in NC's agreement is particularly heart warming though.
Why? The article says the vouchers can be used for any software or hardware, as long as it's PC related, not just MS Software. I'm sure there are charities that would be grateful of the chance to get some better PCs or perhaps even just a new scanner.
Obviously you didn't read the article.
From the settlement FAQ:
"Q: What can the vouchers be used for?
A: You can exchange your vouchers for cash by submitting proof of purchases you made after July 18, 2003 of the following computer products: Any desktop, laptop, or tablet computer made by any manufacturer for any operating system platform, or any of the following devices: printers, scanners, monitors, keyboards, or pointing devices (e.g. mouse, trackball). Qualifying software includes any non-custom software offered by any software vendor for use on a desktop, laptop or tablet computer. The qualifying computer hardware or software does not have to be a Microsoft product. After you submit proof of purchase to the Claims Administrator (either with your claim form or your voucher) a check will be sent to you for the amount of your purchase. The Claims Administrator will keep track of any remaining value on the voucher for your use in making future purchases. The claim form instructions and the voucher will explain the redemption procedure in more detail."
The vouchers go towards buying computer hardware and software, and "The qualifying computer hardware or software does not have to be a Microsoft product."
In the future, please read the article before you post. You will save time by not making remarks that are obviously false and clearly addressed in the article, and other people will save time by not having to correct you.
evil adrian
I disagree with you completely, because you obviously didn't RTFA.
As I commented earlier to another person that doesn't know what those blue underlines are for in the article, the settlement FAQ clearly states that the vouchers go towards buying computer hardware and software, and "The qualifying computer hardware or software does not have to be a Microsoft product."
Therefore, those schools could go and purchase Macintosh or Linux hardware and software if they wanted to, and nothing is standing in their way.
evil adrian
Don't know why I'm bothering to reply with anything other than a "fuck you" to some presumptuous jackass that won't even sign the post, but here goes:
1. The vouchers I was offered could also be spent on anyones hardware or software.
2. The donations to schools were of MS products only.
3. The relevant part of my post stands; that by accepting the voucher you are accepting the settlement.
Not sure how I touched such a nerve, but try to get over the generalizing. You don't know a damn thing about me or my sentiments with respect to MS or any other software except what I posted, which is that I don't think the punishment (a bunch of free, locked-in advertising to the State that increases MS marketshare) in the FL settlement fits the "crime".
I wish you fucking flamers would get a damn life or at least just shut up and let civil discourse occur.
Trouble making decisions? Just flip for it.