Microsoft settles up

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 29 Oct 2003 at 11:55

Microsoft has settled two further class-action law suits brought by consumers in Columbia and Kansas for violating state anti-trust laws.

Both settlements have been given preliminary approval and take the form of vouchers for hardware and software vouchers. Microsoft will keep half the value of any unclaimed vouchers and donate the remaining half to needy schools in the respective states.

Vouchers will be made available to the plaintiffs in Columbia to the tune of $6.2mn and in Kansas to the value of $32mn.

'We're pleased by the opportunity to help schools,' said Brad Smith, general counsel for Microsoft. He added that reaching a settlement 'avoids the cost and uncertainty of litigation.'

Settlements have also been put forward in North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee, although these have yet to receive approval. Together with the settlements agreed earlier this year in California, Florida, Montana and West Virginia, this brings the total to 10, with five states still holding out for the courts.

Microsoft says it has already set aside the funds to pay out the settlements.