Netflix Wal-Mart Class Action Lawsuit Settlement
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Do You Use Netflix Movie Service?
If you do then you may be interested to know that there is a lawsuit and settlement against Netflix and Wal-Mart Stores. The lawsuit pertains to the price of online DVD rentals and a secret agreement between the two companies which leads to price fixing.
Although both Netflix and Wal-Mart deny the claim, the lawsuit states that Wal-Mart and Netflix made a secret agreement where Wal-Mart would not start up an online DVD rental service and Netflix agreed not to sell DVDs. If the facts are true, then by eliminating the potential competition between the two companies would force the price of DVD sales and rentals to go down. The two companies allegedly made this agreement so that they would not have to compete in the related fields. If this is true then the companies have broken the law and will lose their case. If they loose the case then eligible claimants will be eligible to receive financial compensation.
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Who Is Eligible To Receive Compensation?
If you are or were a Netflix Subscriber between May 19, 2005 and September 30, 2010 and paid a subscription fee then you are a party to the Litigation Class against Netflix. The agreement made between the two super companies is deemed illegal by Federal Law. If the case which has been dismissed in court is overturned (it is now in appeal), then the class will receive benefits from the judgement. You must take appropriate action in a timely manner to be included in the class settlement.
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How Much Money Is Involved In The Suit and What Are My Rights As a Claimant?
Wal-Mart will pay $27,250,000 USD in either Cash or Gift Cards (you can choose your desired option). If you choose the Gift Card you can only use it at Wal-Mart's Website. The actual amount to be awarded to each claimant will depend on how many claimants there are; the monies will be divided evenly.
There are also legal fees that will be paid from the settlement including:
- Up to 25% in Attorneys' Fees
- Additional Costs Up to $1.7 million
- Administration Costs
- $5,000 for each Class Representatives (Up to $80,000)
After all fees are awarded the remaining balance shall be divided among valid claimants.
Your Rights as a Claimant:
- You can choose to Remain in the Settlement Class to receive benefits should the case be won. If you choose this option, you Must File a Claim. (See instructions below).
- You can choose to Get Out of the Settlement Class so that you have the right to sue Wal-Mart personally. You must exclude yourself by February 14, 2012 from both the Wal-Mart Settlement Class and the Netflix Litigation Class.
- You can choose to remain in the Settlement class and Object. You must object to it by February 14, 2012.
How Do I File a Claim or Get More Information?
If you are an eligible candidate for the reward in the settlement then you should have received notice in the mail. If you have not received notice but feel that you are eligible, you can do the following:
- Call 1-877-389-4469
- Visit The Claimant Website
- Mail to: Netflix Lawsuit, PO Box 2602, Faribault, MN 55021-9602
There will be a hearing held on March 14, 2012 to consider to approve or deny the settlement and to access related fees. You have the right to appear in person or to have an attorney appear on your behalf. Visit the website for more details.
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I wondered what was happening with this. I'm not entitled to anything since I don't watch movies but I was aware of the case. I got a letter in the mail informing me of my rights IF I had any. Great hub!
Hi Alecia! This settlement goes all the way back to 2005 and you do not have to be a current member to be included in the suit. Check out the site I mentioned above to see if you qualify and how to file a claim. Personally, I still use Netflix but only have the streaming plan for about $8. When I really want to rent a DVD I use RedBox but that is rare. Thanks for stopping by!
JSMatthew~
Thanks Ardie! I doubt there will be any major financial compensation after all the legal fees but it is still nice to flex our muscles back at the big corporations! My guess for a payout is between $3-$5 per person and we would have to win to get any money. I guess it is more about the point of these large corporations doing illegal activities and getting away with it, all at our expense. This needs to stop! Thanks for stopping by!
JSMatthew~
Good information to know! You covered it well. Sharing!
Thanks tammyswallow! I appreciate your comment and for sharing!
JSMatthew~
Great hub! I subscribe to Netflix. I should have known it was too good to be true. I will look into this. Your information is much appreciated. Voted UP and interesting!
You're welcome sholland10! I am glad to help and I appreciate your comment and votes! Thanks for stopping by!
JSMatthew~
So how much am I getting in settlement money? $5? Voting this Up and Interesting.
Hello alocsin! We would be lucky if we get that much lol! I really have no idea how much because it depends on the number of claimants. Thanks for stopping by and for voting!
JSMatthew~
Interesting. I was and still am a Netflix customer. I don't see that they did all that much wrong--there's still lots of competition in both fields, movie renting and DVD sales.
Hello Paradise7! I am also still renting (streaming only) movies from Netflix. The reason that it is wrong is because they broke the law in an attempt to take advantage of consumers. This is not my opinion, this is true. The negotiations that they were allegedly engaged in violated certain Federal laws. I am only trying to educate consumers.
Too many greedy large corporations take advantage of us. If we have to follow the laws than so should the corporations. They already have enough tax breaks and loopholes. I don't think they need to get away with breaking the law when it effects consumers. There is a lot of competition in the movie distribution field but it should remain an equal playing ground. No company should be allowed to monopolize their their industry just because they have enough money to silence their activities.
I have no plans of cancelling my Netflix account and I will continue to shop at Wal-Mart since it seems to be all I can afford these days. I am trying to state the facts and share with readers. I appreciate your input. Thanks for stopping by!
JSMatthew~
Thank you for this informative hub. I got the claim settlement form the other today but was not sure whether it was a scam because it sure look phony. I'm glad you included the toll free number so consumers can call. Voted up.
Hello Donna!
I too thought it might have been a scam until I did my research. It is real and I hope that if you call the number you will come back and share your experience. I'd love to know that we are winning! Thanks for voting up and commenting!
JSMatthew~
Good hub, very informative.Didn't even know about it. vote up
Hello picklesandrufus! As I talk with people I realize that not too many are aware of this. I appreciate you reading, commenting and voting! Thanks!
JSMatthew~
I never respond to those settlement suits, I usually get offered a measly 6 or 12 dollars and I didn't have a beef with them in the first place.
Moreover, this whole thing seems silly because Netflix and Walmart are not the only vendors out there. I can just as easily get movies at Target. I have found it frustrating that Redbox no longer sells movies through their machine - so there is probably some deals being made there too.
I just don't understand how Netflix and Walmart are tied together. If I wanted to buy a movie, I could go to Amazon, Ebay or somewhere else. It just seems weird to me that someone would presume that I think those are my ONLY two options.
Interesting article!
I understand your position Alexander. I don't have a beef either. I am just trying to spread the word on what's going on with consumers. We do have several options as to where we buy movies and DVDs. I don't understand the relationship between Wal-Mart and Netflix either; but if they did behave illegally, as consumers, it is our obligation to hold them responsible for it. There is way too much corporate BS as it is. If we don't stand up against it, we will never be in control of our money and they will continue to take advantage of us. If I get $1.00 I'll be happy because it means I stood up to the big guys and made a difference. To me, it's the principle. Thanks for your comment!
JSMatthew~
You're right about making a point with those guys. Personally, I wish people were more inclined to speak with their dollars, but we are so dependent on corporations for many of our goods, that that idea is sort of a pipe dream. My plan is to simply refuse to give in by moving out - to a piece of land that I own outright, choose what kind of energy I want to consume and find a life with other people rather than moving to the sway of the corporate beat through various media and selling thereof.
But I think you're right to stand on principal, the money is irrelevant. One way I mess with those jerks is to almost never pay more than 10 dollars and usually pay about 5 for new movies. It isn't always practical because I had to break down and pay about 14 for the latest Star Trek movie :-)
My sentiments exactly! That is so cool that you are able to be so independent and far from the corporate world. That is my dream as well and I would love to live in the woods using solar, hydro and solar energy. Grow and hunt my own food, etc. To me, that is the real American Dream! Thanks for coming back by! I appreciate your comment!
JSMatthew~
Alecia Murphy Level 7 Commenter 4 months ago
I left Netflix last year before the price surge fiasco but I should have stayed to get poetic justice on them. Just (halfway) kidding! This was very informative. Thanks for writing this!