Microsoft is under legal siege once more more than Vista. This time, a consumer is suing the provider for using its monopoly power to force her to pay to downgrade from Vista to XP on a new laptop computer.The Seattle Occasions supplies a synopsis with the fit:“Emma Alvarado bought a laptop from Lenovo on June 20, 2008, with Windows Vista Company preinstalled. She paid Lenovo ‘an additional $59.25 in order to ‘downgrade; her operating system to Windows XP Professional.; Alvarado is seeking class-action status.”I;m curious who set the price point for the downgrade. And if it was Lenovo, why isn;t Alvarado suing Lenovo instead of Microsoft? Here;s how the complaint lays out the reasoning:“Consumers have encountered numerous problems using the Vista operating system, and these problems have been widely publicized in various media outlets. As a result, many consumers would prefer to purchase a brand new computer pre-installed with the Windows XP operating system or at least not pre-installed with all the Vista operating system. However,
Microsoft Office 2010 Professional Plus, Microsoft has used its market energy to take advantage of consumer demand for the Windows XP operating system by requiring consumers to purchase computers pre-installed together with the Vista operating system and to spend additional sums to ‘downgrade; to the Windows XP operating system.”The complaint says Microsoft initially made the “downgrade” option available to users for $104 for a limited period of time - until June 30,
Office 2010 License, 2008 — but then extended the time period until January 31,
Office 2007 Download, 2009 and then July 31, 2009. Yes, Microsoft;s constantly shifting XP-downgrade cutoff dates have been a source of endless confusion and mixed messages about Vista;s readiness. But, once more, was it Microsoft generating the downgrade option available for $104 or Lenovo? (And if it was Lenovo passing on Microsoft;s charge to PC makers, that distinction is worth noting.)Microsoft officials have said before that it is up to PC makers as to how and whether they offered XP downgrades to end users.I;ve asked Microsoft if it has any additional points to make regarding its Vista-to-XP downgrade policies. No word back yet.Update (late on February 13): Microsoft officials said they still had yet to be served with the Alvarado lawsuit. But regarding the firm;s downgrade policy, a spokesperson sent the following comment:“Microsoft does not have a downgrade program. It does offer downgrade rights as part of some Windows Vista licenses, including Windows Vista Internet business purchased through the OEM channel. Microsoft does not charge or receive any additional royalty if a buyer exercises those rights. Some customers may choose or need to obtain media or installation services from third parties to install the downgrade version.”I am not a lawyer (IANAL),
Microsoft Office Professional Plus, but this latest legal complaint sure seems wobbly,
Windows 7 Keygen, to me. But hey — I initially thought the Vista Capable fit (which became a class action) was wacky and misguided. It turns out that lawsuit has yielded a lot of interesting documentation and evidence that Microsoft knew its marketing actions could potentially confuse and anger consumers.What;s your take on this new Vista fit? Do you think it has legs — legs enough to become another thorn in Microsoft;s side?