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Mike Cruz
11-16-2011, 7:59 AM
Well, I've been "part" or at least I've done something that has made me eligible to be "part" of a class action suit before, but this is a first...I got notified of it by email. In the past, I've always got notified of it by mail. And they are usually so full of lawyerese, that I had it to my wife to discern whether or not it might be worth it to partake...which is usually, if not always, no. This email is WAY too easy to understand, and I never believe stuff like this that comes from someone I don't know, and I NEVER click on links or call numbers from emails that look fishy. So, I don't know about its legitimacy. Not saying it isn't, just seems fishy to me.

Here it is:




If You Rented Online DVDs from Netflix
A Class Action and a Settlement with Wal-Mart May Affect Your Rights

Para una notificación en Español, llamar 1-877-389-4469 o visitar www.OnlineDVDclass.com (http://www.onlinedvdclass.com/)



Records show that you paid a subscription fee to rent DVDs online from Netflix anytime from May 19, 2005 to September 2, 2011. We are emailing to tell you about a Settlement and lawsuit that may affect your legal rights. You may be eligible to receive a cash payment or gift card from the Settlement. Please read this email carefully. Go to www.OnlineDVDclass.com (http://www.onlinedvdclass.com/) for more information.

There is a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Walmart.com USA LLC (together called “Wal-Mart”) and Netflix, Inc. (“Netflix”) involving the price of online DVD rentals. The Class Action seeks money for current and former Netflix subscribers. A Settlement has been reached with Wal-Mart. Netflix and Wal-Mart believe that the lawsuit has no basis. Netflix has not settled the lawsuit and the litigation continues against it.

What is the lawsuit about?

The lawsuit claims that Wal-Mart and Netflix reached an unlawful agreement under which Wal-Mart would withdraw from the online DVD rental market and Netflix would not sell new DVDs. Wal-Mart and Netflix deny that they entered into such an agreement or that they have done anything wrong, that the Plaintiffs have been harmed in any way, or that the price of online DVD rentals was raised or inflated by any agreement between Wal-Mart and Netflix. The Court has not decided who is right.

The Litigation Class Against Netflix

Who’s included in the Netflix Litigation Class? Any person or entity in the United States that paid a subscription fee to Netflix anytime from May 19, 2005 to September 30, 2010.

What are my rights in the Netflix Litigation Class?

Remain in the Litigation: If you wish to remain in the Litigation, you do not need to take any action at this time.

Get out of the Litigation: If you wish to keep your individual right to sue Netflix about these claims you must exclude yourself. To ask to be excluded, send a letter to the address below, postmarked by February 14, 2012, that says you want to be excluded from In re: Online DVD Rental Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2029. Include your name, address, and telephone number.

The Wal-Mart Settlement Class

Who’s included in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class? Any person or entity living in the United States or Puerto Rico that paid a subscription fee to rent DVDs online from Netflix anytime from May 19, 2005 to and including September 2, 2011.

What does the Settlement provide? Wal-Mart will pay $27,250,000, in cash and gift cards, to settle the lawsuit. If you qualify, you can get a cash payment or a gift card that can be used at www.walmart.com (http://www.walmart.com/). The actual amount paid in cash and in gift cards depends on the total number of valid claims filed.

Class Counsel will ask the Court to award the following: (1) attorneys’ fees up to 25% of the Settlement Fund, plus costs that Class Counsel estimate at up to $1.7 million, (2) administration and notice costs, and (3) $5,000 for each of the Class Representatives (up to $80,000 total which could include the class representatives from cases filed in California state courts). After these fees and costs are deducted from the Settlement Fund, the remaining amount will be equally divided amongst the Wal-Mart Settlement Class Members who file valid claims.

How to get Settlement benefits? You must submit a Claim Form to get benefits. You can submit a Claim Form online (for gift cards only) or by mail. The deadline to submit a Claim Form is February 14, 2012. Click here (http://www.onlinedvdclass.com/) to get a Claim Form or call 1-877-389-4469.

What are my rights in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class?

Remain in the Settlement: If you wish to remain in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class and get benefits, you need to file a claim.

Get out of the Settlement: If you wish to keep your right to individually sue Wal-Mart about the claims in this case you must exclude yourself by February 14, 2012 from both the Wal-Mart Settlement Class and the Netflix Litigation Class. See the instruction on how to “Get out of the Litigation” above.

Remain in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class and Object: If you stay in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class you can object to it by February 14, 2012.

The detailed notice, available at www.OnlineDVDclass.com (http://www.onlinedvdclass.com/) or by calling 1-877-389-4469, explains how to exclude yourself or object.

The Court will hold a hearing on March 14, 2012 to consider whether to approve the Settlement, and a request for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses. If you wish, you or your own attorney may ask to appear and speak at the hearing at your own cost.




For More Information: 1-877-389-4469 www.OnlineDVDclass.com (http://www.onlinedvdclass.com/)
Netflix Lawsuit, PO Box 2602, Faribault, MN 55021-9602

Dan Hintz
11-16-2011, 9:10 AM
I get similar letters emailed from time to time and they're not scams... but as you said, they're rarely worth participating in due to the low value of returned money (one against AT&T, which I had every right to participate in because they hosed me exactly how the lawsuit specified, was only worth a $20 calling card, and that was probably the biggest).

My issue with the language (and Leslie will have to verify this) is it assumes everyone who doesn't respond becomes a part of this action and loses their right to sue on their own some time down the road. That part doesn't seem legally binding, as it assumes you were contacted and made aware.

Matt Meiser
11-16-2011, 9:14 AM
If you consider the LA Times to be a legitimate news source, it looks real. I didn't Google enough to find if that's the real web site.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/31/business/la-fi-netflix-20101231

You might note that the attorney's are getting 25% of the $27,250,000 for their heroic efforts to correct this injustice.

There was another Neflix lawsuit a while back where the compensation was a free month of service. Which auto-renewed to the paid service if you didn't cancel before the free month was up. What a deal.

Mike Cruz
11-16-2011, 9:31 AM
See, I told you it was a scam...:D

Bruce Page
11-16-2011, 12:18 PM
I think it’s legit. Google the title and a lot of info will come up. I received it too... and deleted it.