Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is this settlement about?
(Top)
A: A settlement has been reached in an antitrust and consumer fraud class
action lawsuit about certain Microsoft software acquired by consumers and
businesses from and including May 18, 1994 through December 31, 2004 for use in
New York. Under the terms of the settlement, Microsoft will provide vouchers to
eligible New York users of its Windows, MS-DOS, Office, Excel and Word
products to be redeemed for cash after they purchase qualifying computer
hardware or software.
Q: What benefits are available under the
settlement? (Top)
A: You will receive vouchers redeemable for cash after the purchase of a wide
variety of software and computer hardware products. The value of the vouchers
you will receive is based on the eligible Microsoft purchases that you made
from May 18, 1994 through December 31, 2004: $12 for each Microsoft
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition or Windows Millennium
operating system license; $5 for each Microsoft MS-DOS, Windows 1.0 to
3.11, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000
Professional, Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional operating
system license; $5 for each Microsoft Office license; $5 for each
Microsoft Word license; and $5 for each Microsoft Excel license. Note: You
may not make a claim for Microsoft software that was purchased for use on Apple
computers or for Microsoft operating systems used on servers.
Q: What can the vouchers be used for?
(Top)
A: You can exchange your vouchers for cash by submitting proof of purchases you
made after February 3, 2006 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 Settlement Claims Administrator (either with your claim form or
your voucher) a check will be sent to you for the amount of your purchase. The
Settlement 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.
Q: How do I know if I need a Volume License
Claim Form? (Top)
A: You should use the Volume License Claim Form if you obtained any eligible
Microsoft products by purchasing them through the "Open," "Select," or
"Enterprise" volume license programs. If you did not make any purchases through
one or more of these volume license programs, you should use the Standard Claim
Form. Both forms are available on this web site.
Q: Am I a member of the class?
(Top)
A: You are entitled to settlement benefits if you purchased a computer that had
certain Microsoft products installed on it from and including May 18, 1994
through December 31, 2004, or if you purchased certain Microsoft software from
a store, by mail or online during that same period for use in New York. The
Microsoft products that are covered by the settlement are Windows, Office,
Excel, MS-DOS and Word. Nearly all computers sold during the relevant period
included Microsoft Windows software. That means that if you purchased a
computer between May 18, 1994 and December 31, 2004, you most likely are a
class member entitled to get settlement benefits. Government entities,
Microsoft officers and directors, subsidiaries in which Microsoft has greater
than a 50% ownership interest, any judges or justices assigned to hear any
aspect of this litigation, and all persons or entities who have properly
excluded themselves from the plaintiff classes previously certified by the
Court are not included in this Class.
Q: Where can I get more detailed information
about the settlement? (Top)
A: This web site includes links to documents that contain detailed information
about the settlement, including those titled "Summary Notice," "Detailed
Notice" and "Settlement Agreement." Or, if you have other questions that are
not addressed on this web site, you can call 1-800-372-2368 and speak to an
operator.
Q: When will benefits be distributed?
(Top)
A: On August 8, 2007, an appeal was filed with the Appellate Division of New
York Supreme Court, which challenges the final approval of the settlement. On
February 5th, 2008 the Court denied the objector's appeal. On March 12, 2008,
the objector filed a notice seeking further review with the New York Court of
Appeals. As a result of this appeal, the issuance of vouchers will be delayed
until the appeal has been fully and finally resolved.
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