Lord_Majestic - 3:19 pm on Feb 25, 2008 (gmt 0)

the computer manufacturers ultimately decide whether to stick on that label or not

I don't think so - I am 99% sure it is Microsoft that was responsible for decision making as to which computer got the label and which did not - they already have certification labs that do testing and award other labels, like say "WHQL" certification: who would dare to put one of those labels without written legal permission from Microsoft? I doubt manufacturers were that stupid, which is why lawsuit goes to Microsoft as ultimately responsibility rests with them - the only way manufacturers would be liable if it was proven that they used such label without Microsoft's permission.

Sure, manufacturers used it to increase sales, but I think in this case Microsoft has got some serious questions to answer - there was an email floating around where Microsoft exec was basically saying that some of the "Vista ready" label computer he bought was not running it well.

I am not anti-Microsoft and don't like lawsuits, however I think this is actually a rare case when the lawsuit is justified, though payouts will be mainly to lawyers, common people who bought computers are likely to get discount vouchers like it happened in the past.