At the heart of a suit is an accusation that many of the PCs factored into the damages were given the Vista Capable logo despite lacking the graphics chipset or other hardware necessary to run all of the features in more advanced Vista versions, such as the Aero Glass interface.
Microsoft has publicly denied any attempts to mislead the public and already claims the damage values are exaggerated beyond what would be granted if the plaintiffs won the case.
However, internal Microsoft e-mail published by the court shows Microsoft as having bowed to repeated requests by Intel to certify a low-end mainboard chipset as Vista-capable despite Microsoft objections both before and after the certification took place. Intel chief Paul Otellini is believed to have met his Microsoft counterpart Steve Ballmer as part of this pressure and would thus suggest knowledge of the plan at the company's highest level