Sony Waterproof Mobile Device Consumer Fraud Class Action Settlement

Santa Clara, CA: Sony has reached a settlement potentially ending a class action lawsuit alleging the company designed, manufactured, distributed, advertised and sold certain Mobile Devices that were alleged to be misrepresented as “waterproof.” The consumer fraud lawsuit asserts that the phones are, in fact, “not waterproof and are not designed for or capable of ordinary underwater use.”

The class action also claimed that “Sony exploited certain international water resistance ratings in order to launch a deceptive marketing campaign promoting the Devices.”

The Plaintiffs seek certification of a nationwide class of all persons who purchased the devices as well as Illinois and California subclasses, excluding certain persons and entities who/which, by way of example, purchased the devices for resale.

The proposed settlement has received preliminary approval and would settle class claims in the United States of US customers only. The final Fairness Hearing is scheduled for December, 2017.

Those included in the class purchased, own(ed), received as a gift or received as a customer service exchange the Mobile Devices manufactured, marketed, sold and/or distributed by Sony Mobile Communications (USA), Inc. in any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The settlement provides for: (1) a warranty extension; (2) changes to packaging, labeling and advertising; and (3) a claim process relating to prior water-related warranty claim rejections.

Eligible class members may submit claims for prior water-related warranty claim rejections by Sony for their in-warranty Mobile Devices. This is the only way to be reimbursed for 50% of the at-issue Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”) for the applicable Mobile Device.

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Published on Aug-24-17