This case arises out of the computer industry's alleged misrepresentation of computer monitor screen size. In 1995, the California Attorney General and a coalition of District Attorneys negotiated a successful settlement under which the computer companies agreed to disclose actual viewable screen size and to desist from misleading advertising. Meanwhile, a number of state court class actions had been filed and were consolidated by the California Judicial Council. When the proposed nationwide class action settlement was announced, however, it caused quite a furor in the popular press. In exchange for giving up their rights under state law, the nationwide class (an estimated 40 million consumers, businesses, and governmental entities) would receive a $13 rebate off their next purchase of a computer monitor or system while plaintiffs' counsel would receive $6.1 million in fees and costs. If the class member did not want to purchase a new monitor or computer system, the consumer members of the class could hold on to their rebate forms and submit them for $6 in the year 2000.
After a fairness hearing on June 30, 1997, in San Francisco, and some additional briefing and hearings, the trial court approved the settlement.
Representing individual objectors, Public Citizen submitted detailed objections criticizing the lack of value to class members and the appallingly high fees for the plaintiffs' lawyers. |
