Howard Yellen, ESQ, CEO of Settlement Recovery Center (www.settlementrecovery.com), the leader in fund recovery from class actions, is headed to court to argue for more time for con- sumers to file claims against Microsoft. The hearing is based on an anti-trust settlement that allows consumers and businesses to collect up to $1.1 billion in California overcharges to cus- tomers for Microsoft software purchased from 1995-2001.
The deadline for filing claims — currently April 30th — was originally set for March 15th but was pushed back once already to accommodate the hearing at which Yellen will face off against Microsoft. Plaintiff’s lead coun- sel, Townsend, Townsend and Crew is supporting Yellen in papers it has filed with the Court.
To date, fewer than 5 percent of the 14 million eligible claims have been filed. Yellen will peti- tion the court for more filing time, as the class action settle- ment is extremely difficult for consumers to file their claims. The argument from Yellen will detail inadequate notice to con- sumers and complicated claim procedures. Yellen is seeking to extend the date for filing claims, allowing consumers and busi- nesses enough time to be identi- fied as a settlement claimant, fill out appropriate forms and file the claim.
In papers filed with the court Yellen stated “It is not clear that there has ever been a large scale consumer class action settlement
that potentially provided more meaningful benefits to consumer and business plaintiff alike and Settlement Recovery Center gen- uinely hopes this case provides a roadmap for future consumer class action settlements and per- haps for reform in the class action system itself.”
Yellen is expected to appear before Judge Alvarado at 10:00 a.m. at the San Francisco Superior Court House on Monday, March 29th. This hear- ing is open to the press and pub- lic. Yellen is available for press interviews directly after the hear- ing on the steps of the Superior Court House. Please contact Binay Curtis at 415-383-7243 to arrange interviews.
About Settlement Recovery Center:
Settlement Recovery Center specializes in filing claims in class action settlements for con- sumers affected by Microsoft’s alleged anti-competitive business practices. To date, Microsoft has settled suits with a combined val- ue in excess of $1.5 billion. SRC’s website www.settlemen- trecovery.com is the most com- plete resource on these class- action settlements. SRC provides services to businesses, nonprofits and individuals and is dedicated to helping their clients recover the maximum amount entitled to under the settlements. SRC main- tains a staff of technical experts and software licensing profession- als that have dozens of years of experience researching, purchas- ing, and documenting software, including all Microsoft products.
