January 15th, 2010
A consumer rights organization in Italy is seeking up to $8.95 billion from two
banks under a new class action law in Italy that some experts say lacks teeth to pose much of a threat to businesses. Larby understands that these class actions are the first to be brought under the legislation that went into effect Jan. 1, and there will still be many questions left unanswered. The suits assert the banks of charging up to 25 million customers illegally, high overdraft fees. Larby thinks that despite the size of the suits against the banks, the new law is very weak and unlikely to greatly expand liability among Italian businesses.
Larby had expected the law, which was approved as an amendment to Italy’s budget, to broaden the kinds of plaintiffs who could bring class actions in Italy. Under the previous system, only state-recognized consumer organizations
were permitted to bring the suits. It is clear from the first few weeks that consumers are taking advantage of the law, but this could lead to abuse of the law. Just as the United States has countless frivolous lawsuits, Italy could be headed in the same direction. If people think they can make a buck, they will try hard to do so. Check out more at larbyamirouche.com
Tags: banks, consumers, Italy, Larby, Larby Amirouche, lawsuit
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January 8th, 2010
Popular clothing maker The North Face has leveled a somewhat comical lawsuit against a company named The South Butt. The North Face alleges that The South Butt is infringing upon its trademark, and confusing consumers with the production and distribution of similar products. Larby thinks that The North Face’s attempt to sue is partly a waste of time, especially since it is doubtful that anyone would get the two companies confused.
Larby believes that this lawsuit is another example of how large companies use their financial clout to push around smaller competitors. Clearly The South Butt is taking aim at the consumer culture that The North Face has created, and parodying it in its own creative form. Lawsuits like this are frivolous, and a waste of the court’s time. It is likely that a lawsuit such as this could put The South Butt out of business if they cannot afford a long legal battle.
At larbyamirouche.com you can find many more interesting stories like this. Furthermore, Larby realizes that if The South Butt is successful in defending the lawsuit, then they could receive much more publicity and in turn receive much more business.
Tags: business, Larby, lawsuit, The North Face, The South Butt
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January 8th, 2010
An Italian consumer association plans to sue computer manufacturers next week in a class-action lawsuit over the pre-installation of Windows, according to reports. The consumers who are filing the lawsuit contend that they should be able to recoup their costs of having to buy a computer with Windows pre-installed, when they don’t want to. Larby thinks that this will be a very tough lawsuit to win.
Microsoft has come out and said that anyone is free to buy a computer without Windows, and that they do not force anyone to buy a computer preloaded. Larby thinks that consumers have a choice, albeit more difficult if they want to buy a computer not loaded with Windows. It is hard to see a court siding with the plaintiffs on this case. Overall, people from Microsoft have been saying that they are not worried because consumers do have choice. Read more at larbyamirouche.com.
However, Larby thinks that the more controversial lawsuits that surround Microsoft, the better the situation is for Apple. As Microsoft’s image becomes tainted, Apple will be able to capture more consumers and gain a stronger presence in the marketplace. Larby believes that Apple’s popularity keeps growing, and that it will be hard to keep them from expanding their presence.
Tags: Apple, Computer, consumers, Larby, lawsuit, Microsoft
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January 8th, 2010
An Indiana man has filed a class action lawsuit against AT&T for charging taxes on Internet access. The lawsuit claims that the man has a cell phone plan with AT&T that includes Internet access through his smart phone. The Internet access is billed as a separate fee from the rest of his plan, which is taxed along with the other fees on his bill. However, according to the lawsuit, the federal Tax Freedom Act bars governments from taxing access to the Internet, meaning AT&T shouldn’t tax that portion of the bill.
Larby thinks that AT&T is trying to maximize revenue anyway they can, and hope that consumers don’t fight back. Larby is glad that consumers are taking a stand, and refuse to put up with the bullying. AT&T is one of the largest wireless companies, but it also one of the least reliable. Consumers are forced to put up with a lot, but Larby thinks that this lawsuit might shake AT&T up a bit.
The fees and taxes are a ridiculous portion of all cell phone bills, and Larby thinks that this excessive taxation must come to an end. If you want to read other interesting stories check out larbyamirouche.com
Tags: AT&T, cell phone, internet, Larby, lawsuit, taxes
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January 8th, 2010
Dana White, President of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has vowed to start cracking down on websites and individuals who promote unauthorized content. Larby was unaware that such a market existed. The pay-per-view industry, of which the UFC has emerged as one of the most profitable players with an estimated $349 million US in revenue last year, is the latest front in a war between consumers who want free content and entertainment companies with a product to protect.
UFC has threatened lawsuits over these consumers if they do not cease their illegal activities. Larby is concerned that this will turn out similar to how the recording industry handled piracy. Eventually the recording industry decided to stop their lawsuits, because they finally determined it was not in their best interest to alienate their customers.
Larby believes that if UFC starts to sue their consumers, not only will it be extremely costly, but also many people will become outraged and this could unleash a potential backlash. Mixed martial arts have become extremely popular amongst the public, and Larby thinks it would be foolish to put a roadblock such as this in the way of increasing revenue. Read more at larbyamirouche.com
Tags: consumers, Larby, lawsuits, martial arts, pay-per-view, piracy, UFC
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January 2nd, 2010
Apple can br
eathe easier now that a judge has upheld a previous ruling that its iPod earbuds do not cause hearing loss. That is good news for Apple who could have been on the hook for millions of dollars if the ruling went the other way. Larby thinks that this lawsuit was a bit excessive, and that if consumers handle the product properly, they shouldn’t have to worry about what could happen to them.
At the conclusion of this lawsuit, the judge concluded that the plaintiffs couldn’t demonstrate that the earbuds were actually dangerous, only that it would have been possible to make them a bit safer. Larby finds this case similar other lawsuits that place blame upon the producer product, even though the consumer has the control over the product’s use. As much as Apple has become a dominant force in the tech business, it is still unfair to make them liable for the health effects of their product, especially when people experience no problems if used correctly.
Read more interesting stories at larbyamirouche.com. Larby thinks that people will continue to sue large companies if they believe they can make any sort of money. This lawsuit ruling sets an important precedent for other companies who want to shed all liability for their products.
Tags: Apple, earbuds, iPod, Larby, lawsuit
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December 31st, 2009
Comcast Corporation has settled a class action consumer lawsuit that challenged the company’s practice of secretly blocking Internet traffic for those who use peer-to-peer file sharing services. Larby agrees that consumers have been unfairly targeted, especially since Comcast says they provide unlimited access. Under the terms of the settlement, consumers were awarded $16 million.
Larby Amirouche thinks that this settlement is a big victory for not only Comcast consumers, but for Internet users everywhere. This lawsuit has set a precedent that Internet service providers must remain content neutral when trying to control the usage by their customers. When consumers decided to sue Comcast, they were taking a stand against unfair treatment, and Larby thinks that this was the right decision.
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the use of peer-to-peer networks, but the only concern manifested by this lawsuit is the fact that these services require a lot of bandwidth to share movies and music between users. Larby believes that if companies such as Comcast want to limit bandwidth for some users, they should restructure their service plans, but it is not acceptable to secretly block their access. Read more interesting stories at larbyamirouche.com.
Tags: comcast settlement, larby consumer lawsuit
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December 30th, 2009
Consumers are about to receive a large benefit within the credit market. Previously, consumers who used credit cards would be forced to settle disputes through binding arbitration. Larby realizes that this method would side step the courts, and prevent consumers from obtaining true justice. However, almost all credit card companies are abandoning these policies, and allowing the consumer to receive adequate justice.
Larby Amirouche knows that if consumer disputes cannot be settled with the credit card companies, then the courts are the best place to resolve the issue. Although this may lead to an increasing number of lawsuits, Larby feels this is a better alternative then the previous system. Many credit card companies argue that arbitration is more fair for the consumers because the arbitrator is independent, and cheaper then the courts. However, many of the arbitrators are hired by the credit card companies, and are thus usually biased toward them.
At larbyamirouche.com you can find out more about these recent news items. Larby thinks that if the credit card companies focus more on their customer service, then many of the disputes can be settled long before the courts have to get involved, thus saving everyone more time and money.
Tags: consumers, credit cards, disputes, Larby, Larby Amirouche, lawsuit
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December 30th, 2009
In an effort to protect the patents created by cell phone companies, the number of lawsuits filed by these companies has increased dramatically. Larby Amirouche has found that companies like Nokia, who are struggling mightily in this poor economy, are suing other phone companies like Apple, LG, Motorola, and Palm. Larby knows that in order for these companies to remain profitable they must protect their patents.
Within the cell phone industry there are so many competing companies fighting against each other that lawsuits are necessary to retain a competitive advantage. Larby thinks that many of these lawsuits are not filed to get any sort of monetary competition, but rather they send a message to other companies that they intend on protecting their position within the market. Larby thinks this strategy is a bit ludicrous.
Larby Amirouche believes that if these companies spent less time and resources suing each other, and more time developing their own unique products, then they could improve their standing in this tough economy. The number one focus for these cell phone companies should be the consumer, and improving their products to gain a larger share of the consumer base. To find out more, continue reading at larbyamirouche.com
Tags: cell phone, cell phone companies, Larby Amirouche, lawsuits
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