Free Lifetime Basketballs in the Mail from Class Action Settlement

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California consumers who purchased Lifetime basketball products between 2007 and 2012 are receiving free basketballs in the mail as part of a class action settlement reached early last year.

The Lifetime basketball settlement resolves a 2011 class action lawsuit accusing Lifetime Products Inc. of falsely labeling its products as “Made in USA” when they actually contained Chinese-made component parts.

Lifetime denied any wrongdoing but agreed to provide Class Members gift cards worth $12.50 to $30 or a free basketball as part of a class action settlement agreement to end the litigation. The deadline to file a claim was April 8, 2014.

The settlement awards were mailed to Class Members last week, making for an early Valentine’s Day gift:

Top Class Actions viewer shares photo of his free Lifetime basketball.

The Lifetime Basketball Products Class Action Lawsuit was Andrew Hecht-Nielsen, et al. v. Lifetime Products Inc., et al., and Saman Afrouznia, et al. v. Lifetime Products Inc., et al., Case No. 37-2011-00089380-CU-BT-CTL in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Diego.

Made in USA Lawsuits

Misrepresenting the country of origin that a product is made in is against California law because it induces consumers into purchasing — or even paying more — for a product over similar products that aren’t labeled as made in America. A range of motivations may fuel this preference, from the desire to support domestic jobs, to beliefs about quality, to concerns about overseas environmental or labor conditions, to simple patriotism.

California law requires that 100% of a product be American-made in order for it have a “Made in USA” or “Made in the USA” label. The object of the law “is to protect consumers from being misled when they purchase products in the belief that they are advancing the interests of the United States and its industries and workers…,” according to a California Supreme Court decision in Kwikset v. Superior Court.

Numerous class action settlements have been reached with companies that falsely labeled their products as “Made in USA,” including for  Permatex auto repair kits and Bell Sports children’s bicycle seats. 

Other companies are currently fighting litigation for these alleged violations, including Party City (for their Balloon Time helium kits) and clothing retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Lands’ End.

Consumers say they would not have purchased the products if they were not labeled as “Made in USA.” They are seeking damages for their purchases.