iPod owners may be involved in a class action law suit - Daily 49er

Cal State Long Beach students who own one of Apple’s popular iPod gadgets might not know it, but they are currently involved in a class-action lawsuit against Apple.

Customers who purchased an iPod between September 12, 2006 and March 31, 2009 have been automatically entered into the lawsuit. The lawsuit originated in 2005 when an Apple customer used RealNetworks program, Harmony, to play songs downloaded from the RealPlayer music store on an iPod.

The lawsuit claims that Apple violated federal and state laws by using software updates in 2006 for its iPod, which prevented them from playing songs not purchased on iTunes. The lawsuit also claims that the software updates caused iPod prices to be higher than they otherwise would have been.

Apple denies that the software updates had any effect on iPod prices, according to ipodlawsuit.com.

According to CNN, the iPods in question are the “first through fourth generation of Nanos, second and third generation Touches, first through third generation Shuffles, a fifth generation classic iPod and the special edition U2 iPod.”

Simply by owning any of the aforementioned devices, customers are automatically entered in the lawsuit, unless they choose to voluntarily rescind their participation.

Joshua Bentrem, a junior journalism major, was not aware that Apple was involved in any kind of lawsuit.

“I’m really concerned,” Bentrem said. “I own many Apple products, and I wonder if any of their other products might also be involved.”

iPods and other Apple products require that songs be loaded through iTunes in order to be played on these devices. Once Apple found out about the Harmony music program from RealNetworks, they created a firmware update, which blocked Harmony and other music programs from allowing music to be uploaded to and played on the iPod.

Consumers have the option of not participating in the lawsuit, but they will not receive benefits if Apple loses the case.

Customers are unable to start their own lawsuits against Apple for the same issue.

“I would have to look more into the details before I make any rash decisions,” Bentrem said.

Rewards have yet to be determined, and there are currently no signs of settlement.

Information on how to rescind participation can be found on ipodlawsuit.com.