Microsoft Settles Antitrust Lawsuit

A class-action lawsuit alleging Microsoft Corp. used its monopoly position to overcharge Iowa customers was settled Wednesday for an undisclosed amount.

Details were not immediately released.

Plaintiffs attorney Roxanne Conlin said the settlement would make sure Iowa’s great schools will have opportunities they otherwise would not have.

The plaintiffs had claimed Microsoft violated Iowa antitrust law by overcharging individuals and businesses as much as $453 million for Microsoft products, including Windows, Word and Excel, since 1994 because of lack of competition.

Microsoft said the company was successful because it offered high-quality software at low prices.

The settlement, which must be approved by a state judge, resolves one of the last private antitrust cases Microsoft had not settled or persuaded judges to dismiss.

We’re happy to have this matter behind us so we can focus on the future, Microsoft General Counsel Rich Wallis said in a statement.