Apple seeks $144k in legal fees returned after lawsuit kerfuffle

Amazon and Apple price fixing class action lawsuit ran into some problems

Apple and Amazon were accused of price fixing via a class action lawsuit filed in 2022, and after the plaintiff seemingly disappeared, the judge ordered legal fees to be returned to the companies.

After Apple and Amazon made an agreement in 2018 that would bring more Apple products to the online store, the number of resellers took a nosedive. A class action lawsuit sprung up hoping to reimburse consumers for allegedly paying more money for Apple products thanks to this price fixing “scheme.”

As always, these lawsuits take time, and led to Apple and Amazon issuing a discovery order against the plaintiff in September 2023. According to a report from Reuters, the law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro failed to disclose that the plaintiff didn’t want to go through the discovery process and wanted out of the suit.

In order for the lawsuit to continue, there would need to be new plaintiffs put in place, so the law firm told the court they had lost contact with the plaintiff rather than say he wanted out. This led to over a year of pushing for discovery to no avail, which had the court push for access to the law firm’s communications with the plaintiffs.

They discovered that the plaintiff had been trying to back out, while the law firm told the court otherwise. So, the court found that, instead of imposing discovery sanctions on the plaintiff, Apple and Amazon are entitled to request an award for attorney’s fees and expenses.

Apple and Amazon did file for compensation, and they requested a total of $223,000 from Hagens Berman. Apple alone asked for $144k.

The case is still open, as the judge has ordered the plaintiff to show cause why their claims in the lawsuit should not be dismissed with prejudice. That order was issued to be completed by May 2, 2025, so there could be a dismissal or continuance made by the next scheduled hearing.

Keep track of your essentials with the Apple AirTag 4 Pack, the ultimate tracking solution for your belongings. With over 5,972 ratings and a stellar 4.7-star average, this product has quickly become a customer favorite. Over 10,000 units were purchased in the past month, solidifying its status as a highly rated Amazon Choice product.

For just $79.98, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your items are always within reach. Order now for only $79.98 at Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!