Settlement Against Microsoft Could Bring Millions Of Dollars In Supplies To California Schools

California schools can now apply to receive millions of dollars of computer supplies—part of a decade-old payout from a class-action settlement against Microsoft.

The software giant agreed in 2003 to compensate customers and settle the case that it overcharged them using its market dominance.

Anti-trust attorney Richard Grossman was a lead counsel on the lawsuit.

"It certainly is the largest settlement that I’ve obtained in an anti-trust case. $1.1 billion is among the largest settlements in any anti-trust case across the country throughout history," says Grossman. 

Under the deal, schools serving low-income students receive two-thirds of compensation customers did not claim. To date, that’s been more than $450 million.

"It is common practice that some portion of the unclaimed amount is used for some charitable purpose that still benefits the members of the class, so that’s what the purpose was here," says Grossman. 

The state Department of Education announced the final funds, another $12 million on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Schools have two years to apply for the funding.