Apple settles suit over defective 17-inch Studio displays
Apple Computer has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit brought about by customers who experienced quality issues with the company's 17-inch LCD Studio Displays manufactured beginning in May of 2001.
The suit alleged that the inverter board of the display was faulty, causing gradient dimming of the top or bottom half of the screen and a power light to constantly blink on and off in a short-short-long pattern.*
Although Apple has denied any wrongdoing or violation of law, it has reached an amicable settlement with class representatives in order to avoid the cost of a trial.
U.S. customers who purchased one of the displays beginning in May 2001 are automatically a member of the Settlement Class and are automatically included in the settlement unless they submit a request for exclusion postmarked on or before January 19, 2007.
Under the terms of the agreement, Apple will provide a cash refund to those customers who paid for a repair related to the inverter board and who send in a valid claim form. The amount of the cash refund will vary depending on who performed the repair, how much the customer paid for the repair, and how old the display was when the repair was performed.
Customers who had their 17-inch Studio Display repaired by Apple during the second year of ownership will be entitled to a $400 refund, while those who had their unit repaired in the third year will receive $350. If the repair was completed by a party other than Apple, customers will receive the actual amount they paid up to $150 during the second year and $75 thereafter.
In order to receive the refund, customers who had their 17-inch Studio Display repaired on or before November 13, 2006 must mail a claim form postmarked on or before February 12, 2007. If the repair occurs after November 13, 2006, a claim form must be mailed and postmarked within 90 days after the date the Covered Repair occurred or by August 31, 2007, which ever is the earlier.
Complete instructions on how to file claims and receive refunds is available on the suit's website. A list of frequently asked questions is also provided.
The suit alleged that the inverter board of the display was faulty, causing gradient dimming of the top or bottom half of the screen and a power light to constantly blink on and off in a short-short-long pattern.*
Although Apple has denied any wrongdoing or violation of law, it has reached an amicable settlement with class representatives in order to avoid the cost of a trial.
U.S. customers who purchased one of the displays beginning in May 2001 are automatically a member of the Settlement Class and are automatically included in the settlement unless they submit a request for exclusion postmarked on or before January 19, 2007.
Under the terms of the agreement, Apple will provide a cash refund to those customers who paid for a repair related to the inverter board and who send in a valid claim form. The amount of the cash refund will vary depending on who performed the repair, how much the customer paid for the repair, and how old the display was when the repair was performed.
Customers who had their 17-inch Studio Display repaired by Apple during the second year of ownership will be entitled to a $400 refund, while those who had their unit repaired in the third year will receive $350. If the repair was completed by a party other than Apple, customers will receive the actual amount they paid up to $150 during the second year and $75 thereafter.
In order to receive the refund, customers who had their 17-inch Studio Display repaired on or before November 13, 2006 must mail a claim form postmarked on or before February 12, 2007. If the repair occurs after November 13, 2006, a claim form must be mailed and postmarked within 90 days after the date the Covered Repair occurred or by August 31, 2007, which ever is the earlier.
Complete instructions on how to file claims and receive refunds is available on the suit's website. A list of frequently asked questions is also provided.
Comments
Somehow I suspect more than $400.
I am guessing with $350-400 settlement, most will either buy Dell or use it toward 20/23" ACD.
As usual, request NOT to be included in the class action lawsuit, and sue the manufacturer directly in small claims court, using the settlement as evidence. You're practically guaranteed to get more money, and get it faster.
Don't encourage anyone. There's enough lawsuits out there already.
Perhaps not all of them were a bad batch?
Don't encourage anyone. There's enough lawsuits out there already.
If more people did this, it would discourage greedy lawyers from setting up these class action lawsuits which are nothing more than extorsion campaigns where they shake down businesses to line their own pockets, using the unsuspecting customers as leverage. The customers always end up undercompensated and the lawyers laugh all the way to the bank.
I suggest you look up the way small claims court works in your state. It usually has a limited jurisdiction ($2000 to $5000 depending on the state) and both parties represent themselves (lawyers are not required or allowed) in front of a judge. This is a simple, straightforward, fast and inexpensive process (filing fee is usually in the $30 range) and I don't see why customers who have been slighted by Apple (or any other manufacturer) wouldn't use this avenue instead of sheepishly getting used by big-money attorneys to extort money out of Apple while getting nothing in return. Stand up for your rights, dammit!
I think I've had my 17" since early 2003; so far no problems. It has been used daily for hours since then.
Perhaps not all of them were a bad batch?
Ditto. Silver Apple logo model, right?
Ditto. Silver Apple logo model, right?
Yep, I thought they all had silver logos though?
I don't get it. I have a broken one of these that I never got repaired. It doesn't mention if they will repair it for free still.
I'm in the exact same position. I'd rather not repair it, but replace it instead. Being in Canada, Apple Canada isn't bound by the terms of the settlement (as far as I know), but I think I'll see if I can get anywhere with Apple Customer Service. BTW, my monitor logo seems to be grey, not silver.
I'm in the exact same position. I'd rather not repair it, but replace it instead. Being in Canada, Apple Canada isn't bound by the terms of the settlement (as far as I know), but I think I'll see if I can get anywhere with Apple Customer Service. BTW, my monitor logo seems to be grey, not silver.
I'm in almost the exact position as both of you. My difference is I've got a 20" (display). I am in the US.
I never had it repaired, cause I was quoted $500, by Apple, just to open it/look at it. I ended up putting it in storage and replaced it with a 19" Dell, which I'm sick of. I would love to replace the original 20 with a new one. I'm actually thinking of buying a new Apple display as well (and buy Applecare for it). I must be mental.
Anyone heard of anything similar for 20" owners? I did get involved in an Apple discussion forum thread, but it just died off eventually...