Microsoft Lawsuit
By Ed Fallon
Dear Friends,
In terms of our usual updates, this one will
strike you as odd. Today, were not advocating for an issue. Instead,
were 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 youve not
heard about the Microsoft class-action lawsuit? There certainly hasnt
been a lot of news about it. One of our supporters is familiar with
the case in detail, so weve 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
http://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 dont
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.
Youll help send
a message that Iowans believe in holding big companies accountable . .
. and youll get reimbursed for your efforts!
Thank you,
Ed Fallon
P.S.
On an unrelated matter . . . the Iowa Bicycle Coalition is working to
pre-sell 500 Share The Road license plates. The plates are a rolling
billboard to encourage more bicycling and reinforce the message to
motorists that safety is a life-and-death matter. The basic plates are
$35. Personalized plates are $60. Funding goes to bicyclist safety
education and motorist awareness. The coalition hopes to reach their
goal by December 1. Application and instructions are at
http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org/strplate.htm.
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