File this under evil empire - consumers are suing Microsoft and Best Buy for being forcibly (and covertly) signed up to trials of Microsoft MSN's internet service in the course of making purchases at Best Buy.

Microsoft, in turn paid Best Buy a fee for every subscriber signed up.

This alleged shady practice got a lot shadier when Best Buy attorney, Timothy Block, was forced to admit that he altered emails and a company memo before turning the documents over to plaintiffs. Naughty, naughty...

The lawsuit agaisnt Mircosoft and Best Buy was filed in 2003 and involves over 100,000 Best Buy customers. The attorney in question has been put on Medical leave and the case has been paused while Best Buy locates new counsel.

-- MDT

Labels: Best Buy, class action, Microsoft, shady