A class-action lawsuit alleging Compaq Computer Corp. sold defective computers can proceed, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday. Compaq, which was founded in 1982 and bought by Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) in 2002, was sued by Oklahoma residents who said the company sold defective computers and then refused to repair or replace them.
In June 2003, the state gave class-action status to the case which grew to include 1.7 million people who bought similar computers.
H-P is a major employer in Roseville.