Opt-out claim targets Microsoft

The claim is being brought on an opt-out basis by proposed class representative Alexander Wolfson, a barrister, on behalf of any legal person who has purchased licences for certain products including Office and Windows since 1 October 2015. It is backed by litigation funder Harbour.

Kate Pollock, partner, Stewarts, representing Wolfson, said: ‘This case has the potential to restore greater fairness and accountability to the UK’s increasingly digital economy.’

It is the latest in a line of high stakes class actions to be brought. In December, the Competition Appeal Tribunal dismissed a £1.3bn action against BT. In February, Walter Merricks settled his ground-breaking £14bn class action against Mastercard for £200m.