Google has begun notifying its AdWords advertising clients about the recent $90 million settlement of a click fraud lawsuit, signaling the start of the month-long period in which advertisers can seek to claim a piece of the money.

The notices come via e-mail, have in the subject line "Important Legal Notice Regarding Your Google AdWords Account," and are from the e-mail address clicksettlement@xmr3.com. Recipients have 30 days to reply. Google's making more settlement info available at this site.

The hubbub is over a lawsuit filed in a Texarkana, Ark., circuit court by local retailer Lane's Gifts & Collectibles, which was a Google advertiser.

Find out more about the Google Adwords click fraud lawsuit at http://oraclewatch.eweek.com/blogs/google_watch/archive/2006/05/22/10221.aspx.