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Class action lawsuits filed against Apple

Just when you think Apple's financial woes have begun to recede, Forbes.com alerts us to a slew of recently filed class action lawsuits that all have the big fruit in their sights. First up is yet another complaint alleging that Apple has created a monopoly by tying iTS purchases to the iPod and only the iPod. Even though suits like this have come and gone, the court has interestingly denied Apple's motion to dismiss.

Next in line is a suit over the MacBook's iBook G4's "abnormally high rate" of logic board failure. This suit was filed Nov. 7th, and Apple still has time to respond.

A third suit is coming from PhatRat Technology LLC, who is calling patent infringement on the Nike+iPod product. A response from Apple is still pending here as well.

Last (though possibly not least?) is a securities class action suit against the company and "certain current and former officers and directors" over all this backdated stock option grant business.

That's about everything Forbes has on the Apple lawsuit list for now. Think it's still worth it to wish Apple a happy new year?

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Apple Financial

Just when you think Apple's financial woes have begun to recede, Forbes.com alerts us to a slew of recently filed class action lawsuits...
 

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pocketchange

Logic Board problem(s) are not exclusive to the iBook. I would much rather see Apple and Co. have an exchange program started. This would be simple, I send you my problem board and (Apples choice) fix it or send me one the does not have the video problem. I have 3 Macs and both of my PowerBooks have NO video, with both needing work on the Logic Board.
Apple take note: Unless you come up with a fix for this situation, when it comes time for another Laptop, I will tip my to you for inviting me to get a PC. Thank You, pc

January 30 2007 at 1:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mr & Mrs Kalu

Ok just a little update, after going around the houses regarding my multiple failed G3 logic board, I managed to speak to Apple directly regardign the matter and to Apples credit they took care of the G3 logic board issue for me and replaced it with a new macbook, as it had been repaired multiple times for major hardware faults. So my wife and myself have to stand up and salute Apple for making ti right, although we did have to go around the houses, they ultimately made the particular problem right. To all those concerned, keep it cool and calm and voice your concerns to Customer Relations and remember to not give up if you you have been subject to the lemon effect. Good on Apple from us in the UK !

January 18 2007 at 4:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bryson Brown

I'd also like to hear more about the class action suit. My daughter's 12 inch G4 (bought in the spring of '05) died this past fall, with the standard logic board symptoms. A shim job got it to boot again, but it's not stable enough to use. Apple clearly has a serious manufacturing problem with these machines, and they need to stand up and take responsibility.

January 13 2007 at 12:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mr & Mrs Kalu

Well I have a G3 that has endured a logic board hardware failure 4 times and a G3 that has just died within its year warranty and Apple have up to now been quite elusive, with this, but I am determined to take this as far as I can go as I believe they know about these things and will try and put all and sundry off the trail.....Ill keep you updated on how it all pans out. Good luck to all with problems

January 02 2007 at 11:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul

People really need to learn what a monopoly is and understand the difference between a legal monopoly and an illegal monopoly. A legal monopoly is basically the situation that copyright and patents give you, a (theoretically) limited period of time when you are the only one who can sell a particular item. An illegal monopoly is when you use your market power to prevent competitors from succeeding in or entering a market. This is what MS likes to do and was convicted of in the Netscape trial.

Now, iTS and iPod are neither of these. Its not illegal to tie software to particular hardware, otherwise Apple's entire business strategy would be illegal, not to mention every cell phone co./provider, Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Palm and everyone else who does it. The fact that the iTS has such a massive marketshare does not mean its a monopoly. There are many players in the market, such as all of the Plays for Sure stores, which are themselves tied to specific hardware and only work on Windows and have a much more restrictive DRM than FairPlay, and of course Zune, which is a clone of the iPod + iTS model. There is eMusic, AllOfMP3.com and several indie stores that have no DRM and work anywhere. Apple does nothing to prevent any of these products from stores and even ported a Mac application (iTunes) to work on a competing operating system. None of the non-Apple players or stores work on the Mac or have any intergration with iTunes. Notice I'm not talking about the iTS, but with the app. I use a third-party plug-in to sync my video podcasts with my PSP, so I know its possible, but they don't do it, why? The answer is that those stores and players are tied to Windows DRM.

What I would like to see is a class action lawsuit that throws out DRM itself. However, that's a whole different level of corporate evil.

January 02 2007 at 4:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Edsel



I patented Apples - now, pay me.

January 02 2007 at 2:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Alex

Anyone have more info about the Logic Board lawsuit? I'm in that boat right now. Just had my logic board replace 3-4 weeks ago & it's already starting to go on me. Have had it replace 4 times in the 3 years that I've had my iBook G4 14 inch.

January 02 2007 at 2:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
schlomo

we need to do a CA against them for MagSafe fraying... I've been through 3 and have to call and get another today... I imagine they'll stop giving them to me for free eventually...

January 02 2007 at 12:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris

1) The iTS monopoly has no merit. You don't have to purchase iTS conent to use iTunes and you don't have to purchase iTS content to use the iPod.

2) I thought the iBook issue was already handled by the logic board replacement program, but it appears tyhat it is only for G3 models.

3) As for Nike+, Wouldn't the patent dispute be with Nike, not Apple?

4) I'm going to sue Apple and TUAW for wasting so many hours of my day reading up on the latest facts and speculation about Apple.

January 02 2007 at 12:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gg

I smell lawyers getting rich!

January 02 2007 at 11:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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