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 December 7, 1993 through and including April 30, 2003 for use
in Wisconsin. Under the terms of the settlement, Microsoft will provide
vouchers to eligible Wisconsin users of its Windows, MS-DOS, Office, Excel,
Word, Works Suite or Home Essentials 97 or 98 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 vouchers are worth: $15
for each Microsoft Windows or MS-DOS copy, license or version acquired; $23 for
each Microsoft Office copy, license or version acquired; $10 for each Microsoft
Word, Home Essentials or Works Suite copy, license or version acquired; and $23
for each Microsoft Excel copy, license or version acquired.
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 September 20, 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 can I file a Claim?
(Top)
A: To file a claim, you must have completed a Claim Form and returned it
with a postmark date no later than July 2, 2007.
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 December 7, 1993 through and
including April 30, 2003, or if you purchased certain Microsoft software from a
store, by mail or online during that same period for use in Wisconsin. The
Microsoft products that are covered by the settlement are Windows, Windows for
Workgroups, Windows NT Workstation, Office, Excel, MS-DOS, Word, Works Suite
and Home Essentials 97 or 98. Federal 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
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 1-866-494-8399 and speak to a
customer service representative.
Q: Why am I not able to print my claim form
online? (Top)
A: Online filing and the ability to download or print a claim form is no longer
available. The deadline for filing a claim online or printing a claim form was
June 30, 2007.
|
