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Last Friday, Microsoft announced that it reached a $1.1 billion settlement in 27 private antitrust class action lawsuits in California. The settlement will benefit both consumers and California K-12 public schools. This agreement represents another important step in Microsoft's effort to resolve antitrust issues and focus on the future.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,825397,00.asp
Unique Settlement Helps Shrink "Digital Divide"
This unprecedented settlement will make available vouchers to as many as 13 million California consumers who purchased certain Microsoft software between February 18, 1995, and December 15, 2001. These vouchers may be used toward the purchase of desktop, laptop and tablet computers from any manufacturer, any software used with those products; and certain peripheral devices.
Two-thirds of any unclaimed proceeds will go to California's most needy K-12 public schools in the form of Microsoft products and vouchers for computer equipment, professional development services and non-Microsoft software.
More than 3 million underserved students at 4,500 public schools in 434 districts stand to benefit.
Jack O'Connell, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, applauded the settlement. "Coming at a time when California is in the middle of a significant budget crisis, these funds and software will help to ensure that California's schoolchildren get technology they can use. This settlement is an innovative way to help our most needy schools shrink the 'digital divide' and will help deliver on my department's commitment to getting technology infrastructure into our schools to enhance the learning process."
The California Superior Court in San Francisco must approve the settlement before it becomes final.
Moving Forward
The California settlement is an important milestone for Microsoft, consumers and the technology industry. The California cases represented the largest number of remaining antitrust class action lawsuits against the Company. With this settlement in place, Microsoft hopes to be able to resolve other cases as well.
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