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Microsoft Dodges Class Action In WGA Lawsuit

Posted by kdawson on from the hire-your-own-lawyer dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A lawsuit that accused Microsoft of misleading consumers to download and install an update for Windows Genuine Advantage under the guise that it was critical security update will go forward, but not as a class action. A federal judge has refused to certify the lawsuit as a class action, which would have meant that anyone who owned a Windows XP PC in mid-2006 could join the case without having to hire an attorney. As Windows XP was easily the most popular operating system at the time, the ruling means Redmond has managed to avoid hundreds of millions in potential damages."

3 of 256 comments (clear)

  1. Not $130 by btaylor · · Score: 0, Troll

    Apple doesn't necessarily release its updates for $130 a pop. Snow Leopard was released as a $29 upgrade.

  2. Re:What's the issue? by EXrider · · Score: 0, Troll

    And to jab the Apply fanboys - Apple releases OS updates YEARLY for $130.

    Wrong, Apple stopped doing yearly OS updates once their OS finally reached general usability, which was version 10.3 (back in '03). Anyways, they've been supporting their most recent OS releases for at least 4 years, you don't have to upgrade Mac OS soon as it comes out, just like you don't have to upgrade Windows as soon as a new release comes out.

    I bet if MS released OS updates every year for $130, everyone would be up in arms, but when Apple adds a program like Notepad to it's OS, they repackage it, and call it something cute. I'm waiting for Apple Liger (it comes with a new theme!!!!!!!!!).

    If you were an admin that had actually supported some Macs, you'd realize that there are always un-advertised features in those OS releases that actually make your job as an admin easier. Additionally, based on that comment, I can tell you've never actually used Mac OS X for any length of time. By the way, 10.6 is offered as an upgrade for merely $30 and it doesn't come with any new eye candy, just underlying OS refinements that make Active Directory and Exchange integration work better, and memory and disk footprints smaller.

    Because I'm a legitimate sysadmin, and when I load on Windows XP, Server, or even Linux (Redhat, or another one with support) I purchase the program, and make sure my clients are fully licenced.

    Well then, you've had the fortune to only deal with companies that pony up the cash for volume licenses then. When you work for a company that only buys OEM licenses, WGA makes things that you take for granted as an admin, hell. Disaster recovery, Terminal Services, system images and virtualization all become a pain in the ass or even impossible to practically implement thanks to WGA.

    --
    grep -iw skynet /etc/services
  3. Re:good by indi0144 · · Score: 1, Troll

    >> Why would pirates have free access to updates too?

    To minimize the pool of botnet-ready machines connected to our internet? Thing that may or may not help you directly but is a good thing anyway. It does cost the same for MS to deliver 10 or 10000 patches.

    WGA as any DRM it's broken by design, removing it was easy. Unlike Win 7 wich requires a bit more of struggle and is not 100% a sure shoot. In fact, I'd like to buy the copy of Win 7 just for the sake of not messing around with BIOS mods and the like, IF ONLY Win7 delivers something to improve my workflow.. but it is not, I'm more likely to switch to Linux and emulate Win and spend the money in buying compatible hardware. In the meanwhile my OEM XP license is not going anywhere. YMMV