Microsoft settles with Gateway for $150 million News
Microsoft settles with Gateway for $150 million

[JURIST] Microsoft has agreed, after mediation, to pay computer manufacturer Gateway $150 million over four years to settle claims arising from the software giant's mid-1990s antitrust case, in which Gateway was specifically identified [Judge Jackson's findings of fact] as having been harmed by Microsoft's practices. The companies announced the settlement in a press release Monday. Gateway will release all antitrust claims based on past conduct, while Microsoft, though denying any liability, will fund Gateway marketing intitiatives, training, and testing of new products that run Microsoft software. Although the statute of limitations on Gateway's claims ran in 2003, the companies had previously agreed to extend that period in order to reach a deal. Bloomberg has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.