Microsoft Antitrust Settlement in Minnesota Is Final; Class Members Still Have Time to Submit Claims

Richard Hagstrom and Daniel Hume, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the Minnesota Microsoft antitrust class action lawsuit, announced today that a Settlement reached with Microsoft in April 2004 is final. The Settlement requires Microsoft to make available to class members up to $174.5 million in vouchers that may be used to purchase new desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers, pre-packaged software, printers, scanners, monitors, keyboards and pointing devices from any manufacturer, not just Microsoft products. In addition, Microsoft will provide a $2.5 million cash payment and $2.5 million in vouchers to the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology for technology development purposes. Microsoft will also provide $2.5 million in cash to the Minnesota Legal Aid Society.

After a hearing on October 22, 2004, Judge Bruce A. Peterson of the Hennepin County District Court granted final approval of the Settlement. No appeals were filed during the 60 day appeal period and the Settlement became final on December 24, 2004.

Under the terms of the Settlement, anyone who purchased Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Office, MS-DOS, Works Suite, or Home Essentials, or a computer with any of those products pre-installed, between May 18, 1994 and March 17, 2003 for use in Minnesota is eligible to submit a claim.

“Making a claim is very simple,” explained attorney Hagstrom. “Most individuals can simply fill out a short form and drop it in the mail, and they don’t even need to provide proof of purchase. Many people can submit claims online in a matter of minutes. The process is even easier for businesses, some of which stand to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in vouchers.” Class members are urged to claim their voucher even if they do not think they will use it because they can give their voucher to a friend or donate it to a school, church or any other organization of their choosing. “It is our hope that organizations around the state will be able to purchase new computer hardware or software using donated vouchers,” added attorney Hagstrom.

To date, approximately 80,000 claim forms have been submitted; of those, approximately 11,000 were filed online at the Court-approved Settlement web site, www.microsoftMNsettlement.com. “While many claims have been filed, which is great, we know that many consumers and businesses have yet to make a claim. We want every eligible consumer and business to file a claim and receive the valuable benefits to which they are entitled,” said attorney Hume.

Class Members have until February 20, 2005 to submit a claim. Consumers or businesses with questions about how to make a claim or the settlement can call the claims administrator at 1-800-928-1638 or visit the Court-approved Settlement web site, www.microsoftMNsettlement.com.