Apple Can’t Escape MacBook ‘Butterfly’ Keyboards Class Action

A California federal judge recently ruled that Apple must face a MacBook class action that alleges its laptops were equipped with defective keyboards.

According to the Apple MacBook class action lawsuit, laptops purchased in 2016, 2017, and 2018 were equipped with “butterfly” keyboards that caused problems such as sticky keys and unresponsive buttons.

Apple attempted to dodge the class action by arguing that the issue had been resolved by the company’s Keyboard Service Program.

The program reportedly offers free repairs for the butterfly keyboards or a refund for repairs that consumers were forced to pay for. Apple claimed that these remedies satisfy the plaintiffs’ claims.

U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila disagreed. In a Nov. 22 order, Judge Davila determined that the keyboard program doesn’t invalidate plaintiff claims considering that the Apple class action argues the program is “is ineffective in remedying the allegedly defective design” seen in butterfly keyboards.

“Plaintiffs sufficiently allege they have suffered an injury-in-fact: Apple’s alleged failure to repair the defective keyboards, including through the program, has caused a concrete, particularized, and actual injury to each plaintiff,” the judge wrote.

Judge Davila also determined that Apple’s keyboard repair program does not have any effect on the plaintiffs’ breach of implied warranty claims.

According to the MacBook class action lawsuit filed in 2018, Apple unveiled their butterfly keyboards in 2015. Unlike the older “scissor-switch” keyboards, the butterfly keyboards were reportedly designed to be slimmer and more efficient.

However, the butterfly keyboards are allegedly prone to failure and can cost between $400 and $700 to repair.

“Apple’s butterfly keyboard and MacBook are produced and assembled in such a way that when minimal amounts of dust or debris accumulate under or around a key, keystrokes fail to register,” the MacBook class action claims. “The keyboard defect compromises the MacBook’s core functionality.”

Plaintiffs in the MacBook class action lawsuit seek to represent a Class of consumers who purchased a MacBook and/or a MacBook Pro that was equipped with a butterfly keyboard.

Originally, the MacBook class action included a variety of claims including breach of warranties, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and violations of consumer protection laws. In April, Judge Davila trimmed some of these claims – tossing the breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claims but keeping claims of fraud by omission and more.

Did you purchase a MacBook that was equipped with a butterfly keyboard, causing sticky and unresponsive keys? Share your experiences in the comment section below!

Plaintiffs and the proposed Class are represented by Daniel C. Girard, Jordan Elias, Angelica M. Ornelas and Simon S. Grille of Girard Gibbs LLP and Benjamin F. Johns, Steven A. Schwartz, Beena M. McDonald and Andrew W. Ferich of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP.

The Apple MacBook Keyboard Class Action Lawsuit is In re: Macbook Keyboard Litigation, Case No. 5:18-cv-02813, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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