Minnesotans leave most Microsoft settlement money on the table

Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft products are on display at a Fry's electronic store May 4, 2007 in Renton, Washington.
Kevin P. Casey/Getty Images

Minnesotans have turned down tens of millions of dollars that Microsoft tried to give away.

Minnesotans could have claimed almost $175 million in settlement money in 2004 from a class-action lawsuit settlement with the software giant. But they only claimed about $64 million, or 37 percent of the available money. That left almost $111 million on the table.

Under the terms of the settlement in Minnesota and 15 other states, half of the leftover money went to state public schools. Microsoft gets to keep the other half - more than $55 million.

Minnesota consumers could claim up to $100 in vouchers for computer equipment or software. Consumers who had receipts from their Microsoft products could claim more.

It's too late to submit a claim now, though. The deadline was almost three years ago.

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com

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