It looks like Microsoft is on a roll these days. After resolving a long time dispute with SUN, Microsoft has just settled a class action dispute in Minnesota. While the terms of the settlement are not yet know, what is becoming clear is that the Redmond giant seems to be wanting to put their somewhat murky past behind them and put a new foot forward.
As a result of the settlement, the trial, which began March 15, has been concluded and the jury has been discharged, according to a statement on the Hennepin County District Court Web site. The terms of the settlement will remain confidential until finalized sometime in early July, according to the statement. The Minnesota case is one of several class-action lawsuits brought against Microsoft on behalf of consumers in the wake of the U.S. government's antitrust case that the vendor had been unable to settle or get dismissed.
Still, a number of states are purusing action against Microsoft.
Cases in Arizona, New Mexico and Iowa could still be headed for trial, and the Nebraska Supreme Court last month reversed earlier rulings that blocked a consumer class action case in that state. In New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan courts have initially declined to certify classes of consumers, but plaintiffs are appealing those decisions, Microsoft spokesman Jim Desler said.
Cases in Vermont and Massachusetts are also still active, but not as close to going to trial as the Arizona, New Mexico and Iowa cases because classes of consumers have not yet been certified, according to Desler.
