In the iPhone 4G saga, the Apple/AT and T class action lawsuit is the latest. After they sold 1.7 million iPhone 4Gs in just three days, consumer complaints about the iPhone “Death Grip” spread like wildfire. After intensely coveting Apple’s latest iPhone, reception problems traced to a faulty iPhone antenna design is evidently too much to bear for some. Disgruntled iPhone 4G users have teamed up with trolling lawyers to file four class action lawsuits against Apple and wireless provider AT and T in Delaware and California.
The death grip saga involved within the iPhone
When compared to any product in memory, the Apple iPhone 4G certainly got more wanton customer lust. The expectations that Apple has created with its products is backfiring. According to PC World, soon following the iPhone 4G started shipping to customers in late June, the legend of the iPhone 4 “death grip” was born. Complaints erupted on the Internet saying that holding the phone with fingers covering the 3 black lines on the phone’s edge and also the bottom left corner caused its reception to fizzle.
For plaintiffs, iPhone covers too little, too late
In response to the iPhone 4 death grip furor, Apple told every person that “gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance.” Placing an iPhone cover or “bumper” on the iPhone 4 is apparently able to eliminate death grip issues. Apple is prepping a software update that will stop these problems. But the iPhone cover and software fix isn’t good enough for a couple of bitterly disappointed iPhone 4 users and a number of legal eagles ready to angle for the potentially lucrative angst of 1.7 million iPhoniphiles and counting.
Apple and AT and T money wanted by lawyers
All the Apple/AT and T class action lawsuits are seeking punitive damages and an injunction against the continued manufacture and sale for the phones until the problem is fixed. It was reported by Macworld that of nine charges leveled in a case filed in Delaware against Apple and AT and T, seven target just AT and T and all nine apply to Apple: general negligence; defect in design, manufacture, and assembly; breach of express warranty; breach of implied warranty for merchantability; breach of implied warranty of fitness for a unique purpose; deceptive trade practices; intentional misrepresentation; negligent misrepresentation; and fraud by concealment.
iPhone users want legal satisfaction
In another Apple/AT and T class action lawsuit filed in California, it was reported by Reuters the deeply hurt plaintiffs have no other choice because Apple and AT and T failed to provide customer support and, even worse, customers are left with only 3 remedies: “hold their phones in an awkward and unnatural manner,” pay a 10 percent restocking fee and return their phones, or pay $ 29.95 to buy the iPhone cover that is said to fix the reception problem.
Law firms trying to get Apple/AT and T Class action lawsuits
Apple and AT and T both declined to comment on the iPhone 4 lawsuits Thursday. But now the cat is out of the bag, expect more lawsuits to emerge. For example, Gawker posted a link to the Website for law firm Kershaw, Cutter and Ratinoff, which is looking for individuals who are having iPhone 4 reception troubles in hopes of getting their fair share of this potential legal bonanza.
Citations:
PC World
pcmag.com/article2/,2817,2365940,00.asp
Macworld
macworld.com/article/152457/2010/07/gavel_iphone4.html
Reuters
reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6603R620100701
