
The way Microsoft has marketed its Vista operating system has always been contentious. And now a federal judge has ordered CEO Steve Ballmer to testify in a class-action lawsuit that revolves around how Microsoft marketed Vista prior to the system's launch.
Plaintiffs say Microsoft misled consumers when it allowed PCs makers to designate computers running Windows XP as "Vista Capable" - even when the computer could only run a basic version of Vista.
Microsoft had not wanted Ballmer to testify, saying other company execs were behind the "Vista Capable" program. But federal Judge Marsha Pechman in Seattle said Friday plaintiffs had shown Ballmer may have had unique knowledge of the program (read her ruling here), and noted an e-mail exchange between Ballmer and a Microsoft executive that talked about "Vista Capable" branding.