District Court Judge Scott Rosenberg in Polk County, Iowa, approved a $179.95 million settlement in the Iowa class-action lawsuit against Microsoft Corp yesterday; the settlement was originally announced in April but had not been finalized until today. Des Moines attorney Roxanne Conlin and Minneapolis attorney Richard Hagstrom brought the suit against MS seven years ago claiming that the software giant engaged in anticompetitive conduct that caused customers to pay more for software than they would have if there had been competition.
Judge Rosenberg concluded that the settlement was fair and reasonable and said he would enter an order Friday finalizing it. The lawsuit initially sought more than $330 million on behalf of Iowans who bought Microsoft computer software between 1994 and 2006. Consumers in Iowa will be able to apply for up to $200 back through the mail or $100 through the Internet. Buyers of Windows will get $16 while Office purchasers have a rebate of $29. Other Microsoft products have between a $10 and $25 cash settlement offer.