Jokes

Iowans who purchased an operating system will be reimbursed US$16 while application buyers will receive up to US$29 for each product purchased.

Microsoft disclosed that it has agreed to a preliminary settlement under which it will pay consumers in Iowa US$179.9 million to settle a class action suit that charged the software maker with monopolistic pricing practices.

Under the terms of the agreement, consumers and businesses that purchased Microsoft operating systems or applications between 18 May, 1994 and 30 June, 2006 can file claims against Microsoft. Government entities that bought Microsoft products from June 2002 through June 2006 can also file a claim.

Operating systems covered by the settlement include MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT Workstation, and Windows 2000 Professional. The applications include Microsoft Word, Excel and Office.




Individuals will receive cash while volume purchasers will receive vouchers that can be used to buy producfrom Microsoft or its competitors.

Microsoft said it would donate half of any unclaimed proceeds from the settlement to disadvantaged schools for the purchase of software and hardware.

The case was originally filed in 2000 by Des Moines businessman Joe Comes and proved to be an ongoing source of embarrassment for Microsoft.

Among other things, e-mails entered into evidence during trial revealed that Microsoft officials were awed by Apple Computer's desktop search technology and that former Microsoft executive Jim Allchin once said he would buy a Mac "if I was not working at Microsoft."

A hearing is scheduled for 31 August in Polk County District Court for final approval of the settlement.