Microsoft has settled with the state of New York for $350 million.
Virtually anyone who bought primary Microsoft software (Windows or Office products) between 1994 and 2004 can be eligible for a $12 coupon per operating system and $5 per Office product. You can only claim up to five products. Eligible software:
I can claim five, for a total of $46. You can file your claim online here and find more information here.
You don’t need a receipt, but you do need to still have your product key, so good luck claiming Windows 3.1. If I can round up enough legitimate product keys, I can get an Xbox 360 Play and Charge kit (although the coupons are good for any technology purchase at any store).
Frankly, although I don’t support the many lawsuits against Microsoft over the years, I cannot believe Judge Karla Moskowitz was stupid enough to allow the settlement. Expecting customers will be able to find 13-year old product keys is just silly. You wouldn’t expect people suing Coca-Cola to still have the cans froms 1994, would you?
Worse than that, it is obviously more likely Microsoft will receive claims relating to 2004 purchases than any other year, since more recent purchases are more likely to have held onto the product key. Considering these lawsuits are based upon actions taken in the 90s, but practically no one will get paid based on the 90s, I’m declaring this Just Another Pointless Settlement.
(via the New York Daily News)
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Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.
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