Patent, Copyright Lawsuits; MSN Settlement

In addition to fighting federal and private antitrust suits, Microsoft’s legal team has been busy with class actions, patents, and trademark issues. Since Dec. 2001, Microsoft has settled a class-action suit with disgruntled MSN Internet Access customers, was named as a defendant in four new patent infringement suits, and has filed suit to protect its Windows trademark.

Overcharges to Be Returned

Microsoft has settled a class-action suit brought by the Orange County District Attorney that alleged Microsoft did not let customers cancel their MSN Internet Access accounts quickly enough.

The company will refund all disputed fees to customers in southern California who tried to cancel their service, but could not do so because Microsoft did not have their correct credit card number on file. The amount in question was undisclosed. The settlement, which was reached in Mar. 2002, also calls for Microsoft to pay an additional US$100,000 in fines and legal fees and institute an escalated resolution process for similar disputes in the future.