Montana schools to share in antitrust settlement

HELENA - Microsoft Corp. has reached a $12.3 million settlement with Montana consumers who accused the computer software giant of violating the state's antitrust and unfair competition laws.

The agreement, disclosed Monday, requires payments be made in the form of vouchers that can be used toward purchases of computers and software. Half of any money remaining after a four-month period for those claims will be offered to the state's poorest schools for hardware, software or training.

Microsoft estimated that 325 Montana schools, with total enrollment of 38,325 students, will be eligible for le...