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| Why Settle? Given Google's overall revenue, along with some high estimates of click fraud, why not fight for more? "Within the context of the risk that each party faces of losing, it was a reasonable settlement," Malouf said. Should the settlement be approved, Google will change the window of time where advertisers can apply for reimbursement of clicks they contend were not legitimate: They can do this for clicks that happen during the 60 days prior to notifying Google. Under the agreement with the plaintiffs, we are going to open up that window for all advertisers, regardless of when the questionable clicks occurred. For all eligible invalid clicks, we will offer credits which can be used to purchase new advertising with Google. We do not know how many will apply and receive credits, but under the agreement, the total amount of credits, plus attorneys fees, will not exceed $90 million. This agreement covers all advertisers who claim to have been charged but not reimbursed for invalid clicks dating from 2002 when we launched our "cost per click" advertising program through the date the settlement is approved by the judge. |