Answers to Common Questions
Q: What is this settlement about? (Top)
A: A settlement has been reached in an antitrust class action lawsuit against
Microsoft about certain Microsoft software (Windows, MS-DOS, Office, Excel,
Word, Works Suite or Home Essentials 97 or 98 products) acquired by consumers,
businesses and Iowa state and local governments for use in Iowa. Under the
terms of the settlement, Microsoft will provide up to $179,950,000 in cash
payments to consumers and in vouchers to volume licensees and/or Iowa state or
local governments that can be used towards the purchase of computers,
peripheral computer hardware, and software.
Q: Am I a member of the class? (Top)
A: You are entitled to cash payments or vouchers if you purchased certain
Microsoft software between May 18, 1994 and June 30, 2006, for use in Iowa, and
not for resale. If you are an Iowa state or local government, you are entitled
to vouchers if you purchased certain Microsoft software between July 1, 2002
and June 30, 2006, for use in Iowa, and not for resale. 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, its officers and directors,
subsidiaries in which Microsoft has greater than a 50% ownership interest, and
any judges or justices assigned to hear any aspect of this litigation are not
included in this Class.
Q: What benefits are available under the settlement?
(Top)
A: You will receive a cash payment or a voucher redeemable for cash after the
purchase of a wide variety of software and computer hardware products. The cash
payment and voucher values are worth: $16 for each Microsoft Windows or MS-DOS
copy, license or version acquired; $29 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 $25 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 April 25, 2007 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 receive benefits, you must have completed and returned a Claim Form on or
before December 14, 2007.
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 1-877-477-0960 and speak to an
operator.
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 submitting a claim form was December 14, 2007.
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