Microsoft Settlement With Customers Stalls

Microsoft Corp.’s bid to win approval for a $1.1-billion antitrust settlement with California consumers over how much it charged for software was delayed when lawyers couldn’t agree on how to notify people about the accord.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Paul Alvarado said he had no problems with the settlement and he would decide whether an “EZ-claim” form should be distributed in newspapers and e-mails.

Microsoft, the world’s biggest software maker, said the form could lead to fraudulent claims and urged that consumers take the additional step of requesting a claim form by visiting a Web site or calling an 800 number.

Microsoft’s shares rose 57 cents to $25.96 on Nasdaq.

From Bloomberg News