Michigan Magazine Subscription Class Action Settlement

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit that alleges Bauer Publishing Co. LP disclosed its customers’ subscription information to third parties for marketing purposes without permission, in violation of Michigan privacy law. If you live in Michigan and subscribed to certain magazines prior to Sept. 26, 2014, you may be eligible for a payment from the magazine subscription class action settlement.

The Michigan magazine subscription class action lawsuit alleges Bauer disclosed personal information about its subscribers – including full names, addresses, and magazine subscription titles – to third parties for marketing purposes without permission. The plaintiff alleges this disclosure was in violation of Michigan’s Video Rental Privacy Act and constituted a breach of contract with Bauer’s subscribers.

Bauer denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the uncertainty and expense associated with ongoing litigation. In addition to offering cash benefits to eligible Class Members, Bauer has also agreed to implement policies to inform subscribers that information about them and their subscriptions may be disclosed to third parties and provide a simple way for them to opt out of such disclosures.

Who’s Eligible

You are a Class Member of the magazine subscription settlement if you live in Michigan and subscribed to one or more of the following magazines prior to Sept. 26, 2014 and subsequently had your information disclosed by Bauer to a third party:

• In Touch Weekly
• Life & Style Weekly
• Closer
• J-14
• Twist
• M
• Girls’ World
• ASTROgirl
• QuizFest
• Yikes!
• Life Story
• First for Women
• Women’s World
• Soaps in Depth
• iD Magazine

Potential Award

$175.

Class Members who submit valid and timely claims are expected to receive a payment of $175 from the Michigan Magazine subscription class action settlement. However, the actual amount each Class Member will receive depends on how many valid claims are filed.

Proof of Purchase

N/A. However, Class Members must attest under the penalty of perjury that they live in Michigan, subscribed to one of the eligible magazines during the Class Period, and were unaware that their information would be disclosed to third parties for marketing purposes.

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

2/19/2015

Case Name

Halaburda v. Bauer Publishing Co. LP, Case No. 2:12-cv-12831-GCS-RSW, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Final Hearing

1/5/2015

Settlement Website

www.MichiganMagazineSettlement.net

Claims Administrator

Magazine Subscriber Privacy Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 4109
Portland, OR 97208-4109
1-866-354-3015

Class Counsel

Jay Edelson
Ari J. Scharg
James D. Larry
EDELSON PC

Defense Counsel

Sharon L. Schneier
DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

UPDATE: A federal judge approved the Michigan class action settlement on Jan. 6, 2015. Viewers began reporting that payments were mailed the last week of March. Learn more.