Several years ago I heard about a Class Action Lawsuit for Microsoft's applications, and figured that I would apply for them and see a monetary return soon. Well, I'm still waiting. In the interest of being true to the name of this Blog-Waiting for it-here are a few more that you can apply and hope that someday the Courts and Law Firms can agree to just pay the consumers what the suit intended. Or maybe we can just stop this nonsense, and provide software that is fairly marketed, tested and otherwise supported for the benefit of those who would never think up this stuff on their own!
Links and trademarks excepted, here they are:
Epson Class Action
http://www.epsonsettlement.com/index.htm
Q: What is this lawsuit about?
A: The Settlement resolves a class action lawsuit filed in California and other state courts. Plaintiffs assert claims against Epson America, Inc. (“EAI”) based on various legal theories, including breach of contract, breach of implied warranties, unjust enrichment, fraudulent concealment, violations of California Business and Professions Code Sections17200, et seq., and violations of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California Civil Code Sections 1750, et seq., relating to the performance and other characteristics of Epson inkjet printer cartridges. Among other things, Plaintiffs allege that Epson inkjet printers and inkjet cartridges indicate that cartridges are “empty” and suspend printer function, even though substantial ink remains. EAI has denied and continues to deny the claims and any wrongdoing, but has decided to settle to avoid the cost and inconvenience of litigation. The Court has not issued any rulings about the validity of the claims.
Q: What are the settlement benefits for class members?
A: Settlement Class Members who have already registered a qualifying printer with EAI, or who register a qualifying printer with EAI by November 13, 2006 will automatically receive a $45 credit to be used in the Epson E-Store for each registered qualifying Epson InkJet Printer. Registered Settlement Class Members are not required to submit a claim to receive the $45 credit.
The following printers are eligible for settlement benefits: [list of qualifying printers]. To register a qualifying printer with EAI, go to www.epsonstore.com/benefitsreg and complete all required fields. In the alternative, a Settlement Class Member may reject the $45 credit and instead elect, by not later than June 22, 2006 (the “Claims Period”), to receive either: (a) a combination of $25 payable by check and a $20 Epson E-Store credit for each registered printer; or (b) a discount of 25% off Epson E-Store purchases for a total discount of up to $100 with respect to each registered printer.
California Microsoft Class Action
http://www.microsoftcalsettlement.com/index.htm
Q: What is this settlement about? A: A settlement has been reached in an antitrust and unfair competition class action lawsuit about certain Microsoft software acquired by consumers and businesses between February 18, 1995 and December 15, 2001 for use in California. Under the terms of the settlement, Microsoft will provide vouchers totaling up to $1.1 billion to eligible California users of its Windows, MS-DOS, Office, Excel, Word, Works Suite or Home Essentials 97 or 98 products to be redeemed for cash after they purchase qualifying computer hardware or software.
Q: What benefits are available under the settlement?
A: You will receive vouchers redeemable for cash after the purchase of a wide variety of software and computer hardware products. The vouchers are worth: $16 for each Microsoft Windows or MS-DOS license claimed; $29 for each Microsoft Office license claimed; $5 for each Microsoft Word, Home Essentials or Works Suite license claimed; and $26 for each Microsoft Excel license claimed.
Symantec Class Action
http://www.softwaresettlement.com/index.html
Q: What is this lawsuit about?
A: If you purchased Symantec's Norton AntiVirus 2004, also known as NAV 2004, software package and / or Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2004, also known as NIS 2004, software package between January 1, 2003 and January 3, 2006, manufactured by Defendant, Symantec Corporation, this lawsuit may be important to you. A proposed settlement has been reached in a lawsuit in which Plaintiff claimed that:
NAV 2004 and NIS 2004 were defective for a variety of reasons, including that their use sometimes resulted in one or more of the following conditions:
- Inability to access the internet,
- A material slowdown in the performance of internet browsing speed, and
- Difficulty in uninstalling the product,
- AND that Symantec allegedly failed to communicate and disclose certain of these facts and circumstances to consumers.
For more information about this settlement, please refer to the Notice.
Q: What are the settlement benefits for Class Members?
A: As part of the settlement, Symantec has agreed to make the following relief available to Settlement Class Members who submit a valid Claim Form:
For any Settlement Class Member who submits a valid Claim Form, Symantec will provide and send to any such Settlement Class Member a fifteen dollar rebate certificate redeemable on the purchase of Symantec products from Symantec's on-line store.
For any Settlement Class Member who incurred any third party expenses in remedying one or more of the Conditions and submits a valid Claim Form, Symantec will pay up to ten dollars to reimburse the Settlement Class member for such charges.
