Microsoft, IBM sued over Y2K non compliance

Big Blue gets suit…who will be next?

US reports said that class action suits have been taken out against both IBM and Microsoft for alleged problems over the Millennium Bug. The suit against Software Stan alleges that both Visual FoxPro and FoxPro have problems with dates clicking over into the year 2000 properly. And IBM has received a lawyer's writ because of alleged problems with RS/6000s, AIX and application software from Medic Computer Systems. A gynaecologist is suing IBM and Medic Computer Systems after discovering that a new computer system they installed last year won't make it through the millennium without experiencing serious problems. Illinois-based Dr Mario Yu paid around $20,000 for the system that is designed to handle operations at a busy clinic including tracking patient appointments and their test results. Dr Yu only discovered the problem in November when he received a letter from Medic saying that for $2,500, they would ensure that his system would be able to make through the Year 2000 without any hiccups. Not only does Dr Yu want the remedial work done for free he also wants the two companies to inform all their customers, who are using the same system, of the problem and to issue a free patch. Dr Yu is also suing for punitive damages. Big Blue is likely to be the more embarrassed because of the big play it is making on how it can solve, rather than create Y2K problems. Microsoft appears to have little sense of shame in the matter. ®