RealNetworks’ “free trial” charges result in $2.4 Million Washington AG settlement *

USA - May 31 2012
On May 24, Seattle-based RealNetworks, an internet media company that provides streaming content, agreed to a $2.4 million settlement with the Washington State Attorney General (AG) to resolve more than 500 consumers’ complaints of “odd charges” appearing on their credit cards, as well as bills for monthly subscriptions for premium television, sports or game content that were never ordered.

Co-authors: Jonathan L. Pompan, David G. Adams , Jeffrey D. Knowles.

Class action representative hit with $1.4 million in defendant's attorneys' fees *

USA - May 25 2012
On May 9, 2012, Raceway Ford, Inc. was awarded $1,468,380 in attorneys’ fees plus costs against 14 named class representative plaintiffs in an automobile retail sales contract backdating class action case.

FTC proposes amendments to telephone and catalog sales rule *

USA - October 7 2011
This week, the FTC announced several proposed amendments to the Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.

Co-authors: Gary D. Hailey, Stephen E. Marshall, Melissa Landau Steinman, Jeffrey D. Knowles.

Preemption victory in California medical device consumer class action at the Ninth Circuit *

USA - October 4 2011
In a ruling issued on September 28, 2011, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that federal law preempted California consumer class action claims against the manufacturer of a contact lens cleaning solution because those claims would have required the manufacturer to conduct premarket testing beyond that required by the FDA.

Co-authors: Christopher T. Williams.