Apple facing five iPod battery lawsuits

Californian class-actions

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

Posted in Mac Channel, 11th February 2004 13:07 GMT

Free research: Application platforms, the state of play

Apple is facing rather a lot of lawsuits alleging the company misrepresented the battery life of the latest generation of its iPod digital music player.

According to the company's latest Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing, form 10-Q, it is currently facing five class-action suits, all filed in the District of Northern California, specifically Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco and Alameda County.

All of them allege that Apple violated local laws regarding unfair competition, false advertising, fraudulent concealment and breach of warranty.

The claims follow the launch of the slimline second-generation iPod last April. Since then, numerous owners have complained that their player's battery capacity has shrunk over time.

Last autumn, Apple began offering $59 extended warranties to cover iPod batteries during a second year of operation. It also offered a $99 battery replacement service.

Apple's 10-Q says it is "investigating" the claims made in the five lawsuits. ®

Free research: Application platforms, the state of play