Monthly Archives: August 2012

Sketchy Ad by Shoe Company Leaves Consumers Seeking Kick Back

Shoe tangle

Sketchers USA Inc. just recently settled over a recent advertising campaign that came under harsh criticism. The shoe company was claiming that their new toning shoe helped build muscle and shed fat. The $40 million class-action lawsuit was centered around a flashy commercial featuring Brooke Burke and Kim Kardashian.  In the commercial Kardashian and Burke sport a variety of Sketchers brands, including Shape-Ups, Resistance Runners, Podded Sole Shoes, and Tone-Ups.  The class action lawsuit was settled out of federal court in Louisville, KY and combined the cases of about 70 people seeking damages. Part of that final agreement was that Sketchers was no longer allowed to run the advertisement.  The lawyers involved will split about $5 million while most consumers were entitled to a maximum repayment for their purchase.

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Insane Clown Posse Files Suit Against FBI

Threatening?

 The ICP, also known as the Insane Clown Posse, a hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan are suing the FBI for listing their fans on the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment.  The ICP made their announcement to file a lawsuit at their annual Gathering of the Juggalos.  Juggalos, the name of their devoted fan base are listed on the the National Gang Threat Assessment under Non-Traditional and Hybrid Gangs.  The duo, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope are insulted by the FBI’s listing and are suing for monetary value and injunctive relief, which is a court ordered act that would require the FBI to take the Juggalos off the Gang Threat Assessment list.

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Blocked, Buster: Video Rental Company Settles Lawsuit

VHS collection

A settlement has been reached by top video rental company, Blockbuster, in a class-action lawsuit.  A Minnesota man, Baseem Missaghi, claimed that Blockbuster has been violating the Video Privacy Protection Act. The Privacy Protection Act was created specifically for rental companies like Blockbuster to prevent harvesting their end user’s information. The law states that video rental companies are not allowed to unveil information specific to each user’s account without their consent. Blockbuster had reportedly been holding onto the private data for millions of their consumers across the world. As part of the settlement, Blockbuster was required to pay lawyer fees totaling around $140,000.

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$3.3 Million Settlement Reached Over Lack of Tuna in Tuna Cans

Not enough tuna

What had started out in 2010 as an investigation to make sure “what is on the label is what’s actually in the can” finally ended on August 3 in a settlement for California residents.  An increase in consumer complaints regarding the lack of tuna provided by the three major tuna companies Bumble Bee Foods, Tri-Union Seafood, and Starkist Co. has resulted in a $3.3 million settlement.   The investigation was conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Their research shows that these companies have been skimping on the actual amount of tuna held within the cans.  All three companies have failed to meet the federal “standard of fill” or “standard of identity.”  Instead they disguised the packed cans with oil, water, vegetable broth, and sometimes tuna.

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Modern, Wealthy Family

Contract dispute

Several of the stars from ABC’s hit sitcom Modern Family have recently reached an agreement regarding their contracts at 20th Century Fox. As a result of violation of California labor laws the cast has filed suit claiming that their contracts could not last longer than seven years. It seems that the lawsuit served as a strategic ploy to have the actors’ contracts declared null and void in order to renegotiate new salaries.  The stars, who originally made around $65,000 per episode are expected to have their salaries increased to $175,000 per episode for the upcoming 4th season. With 22 episodes, that puts each star’s yearly earning at $3.85 million.

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