Fallon: Civic duty to file claim against MicroSoft

[rurallib]

Another letter from I'M for Iowa by Ed Fallon. In this he requests that all Iowans who have a claim based on the MicroSoft judgment, please file - with instructions.

Dear Friends,

In terms of our usual updates, this one will strike you as odd. Today, we’re not advocating for an issue. Instead, we’re helping you, Joe and Jane Average Citizen, participate in a class-action lawsuit that will land you $100 - $200 and help keep Corporate America more honest in the future.

Perhaps you’ve not heard about the Microsoft class-action lawsuit? There certainly hasn’t been a lot of news about it. One of our supporters is familiar with the case in detail, so we’ve been privy to the inside skinny. In a lawsuit that Roxanne Conlin shepherded through the legal system, it was determined that Microsoft engaged in anti-competitive practices, preventing improved consumer products from reaching our desktops. Basically, it was attempt by Microsoft to lock down and control the market.

If you are a resident of Iowa and believe, to the best of your recollection, that you purchased a Microsoft product between 1994 and 2006, you are eligible to file a claim. It's understood in the lawsuit that few people will have records of computer-related purchases stretching back over thirteen years. Since Microsoft products were pre-installed on almost all PCs during those years, if you purchased a computer you likely bought Windows and Microsoft Word or Microsoft Office. Your best estimates on what you purchased and when will suffice.

To file a claim go to www.iowamicrosoftcase.com. All you need to do is indicate to the best of your recollection the year, product(s), and, generally speaking, where they were purchased, e.g., Dell online, Comp USA, Best Buy, etc. The claim was set up to be bare bones because there just is not much more information people will be able to recall.

So, with that in mind, each and every one of you who bought a computer during that thirteen-year period should consider it your civic responsib ility to file this claim. You have until December 15 to do it. If Iowans don’t claim the money approved in the settlement, it merely reverts to Microsoft, so please feel free to forward this information to others to encourage the broadest possible participation.

You’ll help send a message that Iowans believe in holding big companies accountable . . . and you’ll get reimbursed for your efforts!

Thank you,

Ed Fallon

[IADEMO2004]

1. If I file a claim, should I turn Windows automatic update off?

Just to be careful.

[IndyDurham]

2. This is awesome!

...and should go national!

[rurallib]

3. Believe this was an Iowa case only

I can't remember but I think there was one other state that did not settle with MicroSoft. Iowa was roundly criticized IIRC for following through on this.

[petersjo02]

4. I filed my claim last summer

Had a letter from Roxanne Conlin's law firm with appropriate forms to fill out and mail in. I belive the deadline for filing is the end of December, so time's ticking away for those who haven't already filed.

[rurallib]

5. We got one also, but it looked like you had to have receipts

boy did I misread that thing. We counted up at least 6 computers we have bought during that time. MAybe 7.

[progressoid]

6. Not necessarily.

If I understand it correctly, you can still get a payment without the receipts as long as it doesn't exceed $200. However, I'm not sure if you get cash or vouchers. I assume the voucher would be for more microsoft products. :eyes:

[pstans]

7. Thanks for posting this

[9119495]

8. Kick

for the holidays.