If you have a computer, you may soon get a notice that you’re part of the state’s lawsuit that alleges Microsoft tried to monopolize the market with its software. Des Moines attorney Roxanne Conlin is heading up the case, and says anyone who purchased Microsoft Windows, MS-DOS, Word, Excel or Office software, or a computer with the software, between May 18th of 1994 and June 30 of 2006 will automatically be part of the suit.
Conlin says if you want to stay in the lawsuit, you don’t have to do a thing. Conlin says if you don’t want to be part of the class action, she says you can go to the website set up for the lawsuit. Conlin says that website, www.IowaSoftwareSuit.com, has the forms you need to exclude yourself from the suit.
Conlin says if you stay in the class action, she’ll represent you. She says it won’t cost anything, and at the end of the trial, if they’re successful, Microsoft will pay the attorney costs and fees. Conlin says it’s hard to nail down exactly how many Iowans may be involved. She says there are about seven-and-a-half million software licenses, and there’s no way of knowing how many people that is, as some businesses have thousands of computers.
Conlin says they’re alleging that Microsoft illegally overcharged for its software by keeping customers from having a choice of other software. Conlin says they’re seeking overcharge damages, damages for loss of innovation, and damages for “security problems that result from Microsoft’s antitrust violations.” Conlin says the lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in Polk County District Court on November 13th.