Apple iPod iTunes Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit

If you purchased an iPod between 2006 and 2009, you may have received a notice this week that you’re now a member of a pending class action lawsuit accusing Apple of creating a monopoly with the iTunes Music Store.

The Apple iPod iTunes antitrust class action lawsuit claims that Apple violated federal and state laws by issuing software updates in 2006 for its iPod that prevented iPods from playing songs not purchased on iTunes. The class action lawsuit claims that the software updates caused iPod prices to be higher than they otherwise would have been.

Apple denies it did anything wrong and asserts that the software updates improved its products, were good for consumers, and no effect on iPod prices.

In November 2011, the Court allowed the case to proceed as a class action lawsuit, ruling that Class Members include all persons and entities that purchased one of the iPod models, listed below, directly from Apple between September 12, 2006 and March 31, 2009:

iPod Standard, Classic, Special Models
iPod (5th generation) 30 GB
iPod (5th generation) 80 GB
iPod U2 Special Edition 30 GB
iPod Classic 120 GB
iPod Classic 80 GB
iPod Classic 160 GB
iPod (5th generation) 60 GB

iPod shuffle Models
iPod shuffle (2nd generation) 1 GB
iPod shuffle (2nd generation) 2 GB
iPod shuffle (3rd generation) 4 GB
iPod shuffle (1st generation) 1 GB
iPod shuffle 512 MB

iPod touch Models
iPod touch 8 GB
iPod touch 16 GB
iPod touch 32 GB
iPod touch (2nd generation) 8 GB
iPod touch (2nd generation) 16 GB
iPod touch (2nd generation) 32 GB

iPod nano Models
iPod nano (2nd generation) 2 GB
iPod nano (2nd generation) 4 GB
iPod nano (2nd generation) 8 GB
iPod nano (3rd generation) 4 GB
iPod nano (3rd generation) 8 GB
iPod nano (4th generation) 4 GB
iPod nano (4th generation) 8 GB
iPod nano (4th generation) 16 GB
iPod nano (1st generation) 1 GB
iPod nano (1st generation) 2 GB
iPod nano (1st generation) 4 GB

A class action lawsuit settlement has not been reached yet, and there is no guarantee that any money will ever be available; however, if a settlement is reached, you will be notified about how to seek a share of those benefits.

If you believe you are a Class Member but have not yet received a class action settlement notice, you can download one at www.ipodlawsuit.com. You can also register with the Notice Administrator to receive future mailings in this case, including information regarding a class action settlement.

More information about your rights in the Apple iTunes iPod Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit can be found at www.ipodlawsuit.com.