It looks like Microsoft will have to pay up to $255 million in a class action lawsuit in Iowa. On Friday a County District Court Judge said that the software maker will have to pay $180 million to consumers and $75 million to their lawyers. This marks the end of a 7 year battle in which lawyers and consumers claimed Microsoft participated in anti-trust activities.
In April a settlement was made, but the final numbers were not released until this weekend. The claims will continue until December 14th with payment starting soon. About 63,000 Iowa consumers have already claimed an estimated $35 million.
The settlement looks for Microsoft to reimburse any person who bought some Microsoft products from May 18, 1994 to June 2006. Here is how its broken out:
- $16 for a copy of MS-DOS or Windows
- $29 for MS Office
- $25 for Excel (outside of Office)
- $10 for MS Works, Word, and Home Essentials software.
In the lawsuit any unclaimed money would be cut in half with that portion of the left over money going to Iowa’s public schools, where they will buy used computer equipment. About $1 million will be given to Iowa Legal aid, a program that helps prevents domestic abuse.
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