IP: From MS --- re Microsoft proposed settlement

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Subject: Re:IP:   Microsoft proposed settlement
> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2001 18:11:24 -0800
> From: "Linda Stone" <lindas () microsoft com>
> To: <dave () farber net>
>
> Dave,
>
> There have been a few postings about the proposed settlement that would
> resolve over 100 class action lawsuits that alleged Microsoft
> overcharged customers.
>
> What people seem to be missing is that the proposed settlement is
> explicitly product-agnostic.
>
> Microsoft will be providing a $150 million initial grant and up to $100
> million in additional 1-to-2 matching funds to a new education
> foundation.  If fully funded, therefore, the foundation will have $450
> million and all of that money is available for grants to local schools
> to buy whatever hardware and software they want.  The decision on what
> hardware or software to utilize will be made at the individual school
> level.  Schools that are using Macs today -- or who want to begin using
> Macs -- can apply for a grant to purchase Macs and Mac-related software.
> The Foundation is independent of Microsoft, and it is explicitly
> required to make grant awards on a non-discriminatory basis.
>
> Similarly, Microsoft will pay $160 million in cash into a separate fund
> overseen by the new education foundation, which will be used for
> technical support programs for the participating schools.  Once again,
> the technical support programs are to be product-agnostic -- regardless
> of whether schools use Macs or PCs, regardless of whether schools use
> Microsoft software or any other software, they can receive technical
> support through the programs funded by the foundation.
>
> In addition, Microsoft will pay $90 million to train teachers,
> administrators and support staff in how to use the technology provided
> by the settlement, how to integrate technology into their curricula, and
> how to support the technology they use.  Once again, this training will
> be available for Microsoft and non-Microsoft technology, depending on
> the products the schools select.
>
> Microsoft will also establish a program to provide operating systems for
> refurbished computers, and Microsoft is required to ensure that 200,000
> refurbished Pentium-class PCs and Macintosh computers are available to
> eligible schools each year.  Once again, the proposed settlement
> explicitly covers alternatives to Microsoft-based PCs.
>
> In addition to all of these hard-dollar commitments, Microsoft has also
> agreed to provide free software to eligible schools. The value of this
> software can only be estimated as it depends on the volume requested by
> schools, but it may exceed $500 million valued at Microsoft's heavily
> discounted academic prices.  Once again, schools with PCs can get a wide
> range of PC titles free of charge, and schools with Macs can get
> Microsoft's Mac titles, such as Office and the Magic Schoolbus learning
> series.  Even though Microsoft currently has very attractive academic
> pricing for schools, making this software available for free will be a
> tremendous boost for these struggling schools.
>
> Educators from around the country have responded to this proposed
> settlement in a very enthusiastically -- this settlement will provide a
> huge boost to more than 7 million disadvantaged students and more than
> 400,000 teachers at our nation's neediest 12,500 schools.
>
> Lots of people have questioned the legitimacy of these class-action
> lawsuits to begin with -- Microsoft has traditionally priced its
> products as low or lower than competitor products.  Rather than waste
> millions of dollars by both sides on litigation, this settlement would
> put these issues behind us and bring enormous benefits to America's
> poorest schools.
>
> I hope this information is helpful.
>
>
> Linda Stone
>
> VP, Office of the CEO
> Microsoft Corporation


For archives see:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/