Californians to Receive Payouts From Microsoft

Californian consumers and businesses will soon receive $1.1 billion in delayed payouts from Microsoft Corp. to settle antitrust claims, lawyers said.

Beginning in August, Californians who had filed claims will receive vouchers that can be redeemed for cash during the next four years.

A California court approved the settlement in July 2004, but a single class member held up distribution of the money over his objection that the agreement called for unclaimed benefits to go to the state’s public schools. But lawyers said the California payouts got back on track after the man objecting to the settlement lost his appeals and missed a deadline last week to further argue his case.