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Microsoft/Best Buy Class Action Settlement
By Sarah Pierce
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Microsoft and Best Buy have agreed to settle a class action lawsuit that accuses the companies of unfair business practices in connection with Best Buy’s promotion of MSN internet service subscriptions. If you paid money to Microsoft for an MSN account established in your name at a Best Buy store and never logged on to the account, you may be able to receive up to $75 from this class action settlement.
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According to the class action settlement notice, Microsoft and Best Buy promoted Microsoft’s MSN internet service from 1999 to 2004 at Best Buy stores by offering MSN subscriptions with free-trial periods. Consumers who didn’t cancel their subscriptions before the trial period ended were charged a monthly fee, even if they had never logged on to or used the MSN account. The class action lawsuit alleges that requiring consumers to cancel subscriptions they never used to avoid being charged is unfair, deceptive and unlawful. If you paid Microsoft for charges in connection with a free-trial MSN account that was established in your name at a Best Buy store between December 1, 1999 and June 30, 2004, but did not receive a full refund and did not log in to the account, you can submit a claim for a portion of the proposed class action lawsuit settlement. If the settlement is approved, you’ll be refunded any MSN charges that you paid on your account that were not previously refunded, up to a maximum of $75. If you are currently paying for an MSN free-trial subscription established at a Best Buy store during the class period, Microsoft has also agreed to cancel your service and stop billing you, unless you ask for it to stay open. Microsoft will also forgive any unpaid charges.Â
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All claim forms must be postmarked no later than September 27, 2010. (You do not need to specify the amount on your claim because Microsoft’s records will show the charges you’re owed.) A fairness hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2010. You have until August 9, 2010 to exclude yourself or submit an objection if you wish to do so. For more information on the Microsoft/Best Buy MSN Free-Trial Subscription Settlement, visit www.internetfreetrialsettlement.com. Â
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Updated July 15th, 2010
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