Microsoft Suit Allowed

A California judge allowed the nation’s first class-action suit to proceed against Microsoft Corp. on allegations that the software giant’s monopoly harmed the state’s consumers. Dozens of similar suits linger nationwide. In a 21-page opinion released late Tuesday, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stuart R. Pollak said an untold number of California consumers could be represented in one trial to determine whether they were forced to pay unreasonably high costs for Microsoft products. Microsoft spokesman James W. Cullinan said the Redmond, Wash., company is reviewing the ruling. Attorneys in the case are scheduled to meet with Pollak on Oct. 4 to prepare for a trial. No trial date has been set. The products at issue are Microsoft’s Windows operating system, its MS-DOS operating system, Word programs and Excel software purchased on or after May 18, 1994.