Remember “Antennagate?” A year and a half after Gizmodo first reported reception problems with iPhone 4, a class action lawsuit against Apple has finally come to a settlement. According to CNet, iPhone 4 owners in the US will soon be entitled to $15, or a $30 iPhone bumper case.
“This settlement relates to a small number of customers who indicated that they experienced antenna or reception issues with their iPhone 4, and didn’t want to take advantage of a free case from Apple when it was being offered in 2010,” an Apple spokesperson told CNet.
Back in June of last year, iPhone 4 owners complained that the simple act of holding the phone with your bare hands on the bottom-left corner caused the phone’s reception to suddenly decrease, or drop altogether. The problem could be solved by simply using a “bumper,” or other type of case that covered the sides of the phone. Surprisingly, after Gizmodo suggested that Apple “start handing out bumpers pro-bono to those who are experiencing problems,” Apple did just that, offering a free case, or a full refund for the device within 30 days after purchase.
The class action lawsuit, filed with the North District Court of California, named five perpetrations, including unfair competition, false and misleading advertising, breach of warranty, breach of Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (a law that requires the manufacturer to replace or refund consumers’ money if it is unable to repair the defective product), and a violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, which is intended to prevent deceptive actions to sell a product.
The suit against Apple claims that owners were mislead, stating, “At all pertinent times, Defendant represented to the public, including Class members, that the iPhone 4 was a dependable and reliable mobile device; that they were free from defects; and that they were of merchant quality and workmanship.”
The result of the settlement requires Apple to inform customers that they are entitled to a $15 check, or a bumper case, by April 30, 2012. Customers who refused the free bumper, or refund in 2010 may still take advantage of the settlement. Those who already accepted Apple’s offer are ineligible to receive the check, or a second bumper.
I hope the attorneys get the same deal. Wonder what they will choose? Cash or bumper? Oooo….Aaaa…
It seems that people just weren’t happy with what Apple offered the first time. Guess what people, you can have a case or 15 bucks! Good job on wasting tax payer dollars on something Apple offered the first time.
Im gonna cash in.
I have 2 iphones 4 and I only get reception problem in my area (AT&T).
TechFreak…stop using logic. You will make the Android fanboys twitch.
Trolls unite!!
Who am I kidding! The blood suckers will take the $15.00!
I hope the attorneys get the same deal. Wonder what they will choose? Cash or bumper? Oooo….Aaaa…
awesome
What a wasteful suit. Apple already offered free Bumpers to people who complained. The iPhone 4S fixes the problem too. So the only people that now benefit are those that didn’t get the bumper in the first place basically.
Greedy attorney’s. It’s not like the antennae was really much of an issue in the first place. I have the iPhone 4 and it works fine.
“You’re holding it wrong”! lol
the only winners being Apple and the attorneys
so they’re allowed to shut down the competition with bogus patent claims and then in the void of an open market, they’re allowed to produce crap products with no other responsibility than a $15 phone credit? eff jobs and eff apple.