How to Join a Microsoft Vista Class Action Lawsuit

Microsoft may have made mistakes and used poor judgment regarding its Vista product, but that is for a judge to decide. In the meantime, joining a class action lawsuit against Microsoft may be the answer to your frustration and inconvenience. Recouping that $10, $50 or $100 is not cost effective for one, two or ten users on their own. However, a class action lawsuit filed against Microsoft on behalf of all the users harmed can dramatically increase the number of people able to recoup a portion of their costs. Joining a Microsoft class action suit identifies you as a "class member."

Things You'll Need

• Proof of qualification in the form of receipts

Instructions

1. Find the name of the law firm that is managing the Microsoft Vista class action suit. There may be several suits regarding Vista occurring at the same time. Class action lawsuits against Microsoft are usually mentioned in mainstream newspapers and news websites like MSNBC, ABC, CBS and CNN. The law firms associated with class action lawsuits are typically mentioned in news articles on these websites or can be found in court documents.

2. Identify the state and city where the lawsuit was filed and review the court records for further information about the law firms managing the suit. Court records are public and can usually be searched in person or through online databases found on the court's website. Newspaper articles about a specific lawsuit will usually reveal the state and the court the suit was filed in.

3. Locate Microsoft class action lawsuits by visiting the Class Action World website. Class Action World keeps track of class action suits that are being considered, in progress or that have been settled. Links to court documents, commentary in the press, documents describing the lawsuit and information on how to join the suit are listed if available. Registration is free and class action suits against Microsoft are listed.

4. Contact the law firm managing the class action suit and ask whether you qualify to join the suit. The law firm will either ask you a series of questions to see if you qualify to join, mail you further information or direct you to a website to sign up as a class member. You may need to prove you purchased the product involved in the class action suit or were involved in or affected in the circumstances of the suit.

5. Return any requested application or proof to qualify for a possible settlement. A completed application that fits the lawsuit's requirements will qualify you in the instance of a settlement. An accurate name and address will usually garner a check being mailed once the suit has been settled in favor of the plaintiff class.

Tips & Warnings

• Class action lawsuits usually have a deadline date tied to joining the lawsuit. Make sure you return all needed documents before this date in order to receive any money that is awarded.

• Sometimes potential members of a class action suit are easy to identify through product registration, subscription or account records. In these cases, potential class members may be mailed an opt-in or opt-out registration card by the plaintiffs' lawyers. This type of notification will name the lawyers working for the plaintiff class. Contact them with any questions you might have about the case.

References

• "MSNBC"; Microsoft Class Action Suit Over Vista Approved; 2008
• "Slate"; Do You Qualify for the Class Action Suit Against Google?; Christopher Beam; 2010
• "Judicial Process: Law, Courts and the Political Process in the United States"; David W. Neubauer, Stephen S. Meinhold; 2010
• Class Action: FAQ About Class Action Lawsuits

Resources

• Class Action: Find Out More About Class Action Lawsuits
• ClassActionLawsuitsInTheNews: Microsoft Windows...Lawsuit Complaint; Jan. 10, 2011