RICO Suit Against Microsoft To Continue
The Supreme Court on Monday
rejected
an appeal by Microsoft and Best Buy in a lawsuit alleging the two companies
fraudulently signed up customers for Microsoft's online service.
As with most appeals to the Supreme Court, this one didn't deal with the facts
of the case, but whether the companies could be sued under the Racketeer Influenced
and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. This act, originally passed to give law
enforcement more tools to address organized crime, is increasingly being used
against businesses accused of intentionally organizing a criminal activity.
Because the Supreme Court rejected the appeal, the companies are bound by the
appeals court ruling, which allowed the lawsuit to go forward under the RICO
Act.
Are tech company lawsuits a necessary evil or just plain evil? Tell me your
opinion at pvarhol@redmondmag.com.
Posted by Peter Varhol on October 16, 2007 at 11:57 AM