Webkinz Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

Webkinz Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

By Mike Holter

Ganz USA has reached a $2.5 million class action lawsuit settlement over allegations it forced retailers to buy at least $1,000 in unrelated Ganz products in order to buy its popular Webkinz plush toys. If approved, retailers who purchased Webkinz toys between 2005 and 2008 can receive a partial refund from the class action lawsuit settlement.

The Webkinz settlement will resolve a class action lawsuit, entitled In re: Webkinz Antitrust Litigation, alleging Ganz violated federal and state antitrust and unfair trade practices laws by forcing retailers to purchase products from Ganz’s “core line” as a condition for buying Webkinz products.

Ganz denies any wrongdoing, but has agreed to pay Class Members $2,575,000 to avoid the hassle of ongoing litigation.

Class Members of the Webkinz class action settlement include all persons or entities who purchased “core line” products within the Plush Market, Souvenirs and Novelties Market, Home Decorative Accessories Market, or Seasonal Decorations Market as a condition to buying Webkinz in the United States between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008.

The amount distributed to each Class Member will depend on the amount of “core line” product each Class Member bought. Class Members will automatically be included in the Webkinz class action lawsuit settlement unless they exclude themselves by August 10, 2012.
A Final Approval Hearing for the class action lawsuit settlement is set for September 13, 2012.

More information about your rights in the Webkinz Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Settlement can be found at www.PlushToysSettlement.com or in our Open Lawsuit Settlements section.