Got a curious email tonight about a Netflix/Walmart class action suit..

[TreasonousBastard]

it seems I'm a member of the class and Wal-Mart has already agreed to settle for over 27 million in cash and gift cards.

Woo-Hoo, right?

Well, after 25% to the lawyers, 1.7 mill for "expenses", and $5,000 each to an unspecified number of Class Representatives, we 25 million or so Netflix customers during the specified time period get to split what's left.

Which means I'll get a little less than the the postage to mail the check to me.

Netflix hasn't settled, so I could get maybe a whole dollar in a few years.

(This, btw, has nothing to do with the Netflix price increase.)

[greyl]

1. Me too, at 1:55 AM.

Couldn't find any useful info about it at the time.
Might as well paste it here:

Records show that you paid a subscription fee to rent DVDs online from Netflix anytime from May 19, 2005 to September 2, 2011. We are emailing to tell you about a Settlement and lawsuit that may affect your legal rights. You may be eligible to receive a cash payment or gift card from the Settlement. Please read this email carefully. Go to www.OnlineDVDclass.com for more information.

There is a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Walmart.com USA LLC (together called “Wal-Mart”) and Netflix, Inc. (“Netflix”) involving the price of online DVD rentals. The Class Action seeks money for current and former Netflix subscribers. A Settlement has been reached with Wal-Mart. Netflix and Wal-Mart believe that the lawsuit has no basis. Netflix has not settled the lawsuit and the litigation continues against it.

What is the lawsuit about?

The lawsuit claims that Wal-Mart and Netflix reached an unlawful agreement under which Wal-Mart would withdraw from the online DVD rental market and Netflix would not sell new DVDs. Wal-Mart and Netflix deny that they entered into such an agreement or that they have done anything wrong, that the Plaintiffs have been harmed in any way, or that the price of online DVD rentals was raised or inflated by any agreement between Wal-Mart and Netflix. The Court has not decided who is right.

The Litigation Class Against Netflix

Who’s included in the Netflix Litigation Class? Any person or entity in the United States that paid a subscription fee to Netflix anytime from May 19, 2005 to September 30, 2010.

What are my rights in the Netflix Litigation Class?

Remain in the Litigation: If you wish to remain in the Litigation, you do not need to take any action at this time.

Get out of the Litigation: If you wish to keep your individual right to sue Netflix about these claims you must exclude yourself. To ask to be excluded, send a letter to the address below, postmarked by February 14, 2012, that says you want to be excluded from In re: Online DVD Rental Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2029. Include your name, address, and telephone number.

The Wal-Mart Settlement Class

Who’s included in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class? Any person or entity living in the United States or Puerto Rico that paid a subscription fee to rent DVDs online from Netflix anytime from May 19, 2005 to and including September 2, 2011.

What does the Settlement provide? Wal-Mart will pay $27,250,000, in cash and gift cards, to settle the lawsuit. If you qualify, you can get a cash payment or a gift card that can be used at www.walmart.com. The actual amount paid in cash and in gift cards depends on the total number of valid claims filed.

Class Counsel will ask the Court to award the following: (1) attorneys’ fees up to 25% of the Settlement Fund, plus costs that Class Counsel estimate at up to $1.7 million, (2) administration and notice costs, and (3) $5,000 for each of the Class Representatives (up to $80,000 total which could include the class representatives from cases filed in California state courts). After these fees and costs are deducted from the Settlement Fund, the remaining amount will be equally divided amongst the Wal-Mart Settlement Class Members who file valid claims.

How to get Settlement benefits? You must submit a Claim Form to get benefits. You can submit a Claim Form online (for gift cards only) or by mail. The deadline to submit a Claim Form is February 14, 2012. Click here to get a Claim Form or call 1-877-389-4469.

What are my rights in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class?

Remain in the Settlement: If you wish to remain in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class and get benefits, you need to file a claim.

Get out of the Settlement: If you wish to keep your right to individually sue Wal-Mart about the claims in this case you must exclude yourself by February 14, 2012 from both the Wal-Mart Settlement Class and the Netflix Litigation Class. See the instruction on how to “Get out of the Litigation” above.

Remain in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class and Object: If you stay in the Wal-Mart Settlement Class you can object to it by February 14, 2012.

The detailed notice, available at www.OnlineDVDclass.com or by calling 1-877-389-4469, explains how to exclude yourself or object.

The Court will hold a hearing on March 14, 2012 to consider whether to approve the Settlement, and a request for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses. If you wish, you or your own attorney may ask to appear and speak at the hearing at your own cost.

For More Information: 1-877-389-4469 www.OnlineDVDclass.com
Netflix Lawsuit, PO Box 2602, Faribault, MN 55021-9602

[Union Scribe]

2. I love how in order to keep your legal rights

you have to opt-out of something you didn't know you were opted into.

[GodlessBiker]

3. If the allegation is true, people should be going to jail. But ...

the crimes corporate criminals commit are rarely prosecuted while people who lie on a food stamp application (see recent thread) are sentenced to three years in prison.

And the corporate media says it's not clear what OWS is protesting about. Really?

[sarge43]

4. Me too.

I just deleted it.

[chicagopoetry]

5. Might be more than postage

I filled out the form online for the Walmart / Netflix settlement. It only took about a minute to do it. Thing is, the money is only going to be split up between those who fill out that form, not all 25 million customers. Most probably won't fill out the form thinking the way you are thinking, that your share will be so low it doesn't matter. It might actually be something substantial if not too many bother to make a claim. It's certainly worth the gamble since it only takes a minute to fill out the form.

[bikebloke]

6. Received one, too.

Undecided whether to fill out the form. So it will sit in my Inbox for a while.

[quinnox]

7. same here

deleted it immediately like I do with most junk mail