LNL – Microsoft brought millions to attorneys, but is worthless to state residents
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – An attorney who fights settlements that provide coupons to consumers and millions of dollars to attorneys says he was not surprised by the outcome of Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood’s settlement with Microsoft.
The 2009 settlement provided $40 million for the State, $10 million for private attorneys and up to $60 million in vouchers for consumers. Hood said this week, though, that consumers used $1 million worth of coupons, which had a value of $12.
“It’s not surprising that the vouchers ended up being worthless to most Mississippians,” said Ted Frank, the founder of the Center for Class Action Fairness.
“Attorneys regularly agree to coupon settlements to make settlements look larger than they are, knowing full well that only a tiny percentage of coupons will ever be redeemed.”
Legal News Line
10/20/11