Woman sues iPhone trio over price cuts – Steve Jobs, Apple, AT&T all named in latest lawsuit
By Will Park on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 at 3:52 PM PST In AT&T, Announcements, Apple, iPhone
And they just keep coming in. The latest iPhone-related lawsuit is aimed not only at the iPhone maker, but at the exclusive iPhone carrier (AT&T (NYSE: T)), as well as Mr. Steve Jobs himself. The suit was filed on September 24 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Queens. The plaintiff, Dongmei Li, alleges that the iPhone “trio” is guilty of price discrimination, underselling, discrimination in rebates, and deceptive actions in the recent iPhone price cuts that left early iPhone adopters feeling the pain of the $200 hit.
What motivated Li to pursue legal action? Well, first she waited in the launch-day line for the iPhone. Then she found that the store only had 4GB iPhones in stock, so she bought one – which isn’t exactly a horrible story. But then Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) slashed the price of the 8GB iPhone and discontinued the 4GB model – leaving Li with an unsellable, discontinued iPhone model.
The complaint mentions that discrimination comes into play because Li was only offered the $100 store credit while those that had purchased their iPhones two-weeks prior to the price cut were refunded $200 in cash. Furthermore, historical analysis of Apple’s stock price (which Li provided in the 8-page complaint) outlined Apple’s incredible stock-market gains in the time period preceding the price cut. Apple had no financial reason to cut prices, and Li reasoned that the price drop amounted to nothing more than “underselling.”
If Ms. Li is to win her $1 million (in compensatory damages) case against Apple, Steve Jobs, and AT&T, she definitely won’t have to worry about buying another 8GB iPhone (or a dozen) at the new price. This lawsuit seems to be the most legit case that anyone has filed against Apple. We’re not sure if “underselling” is a prosecutable offense, but Li and her attorney sure do make a good case. It’s too bad she didn’t opt to go the class-action lawsuit-route – so that we could all benefit, should she win.
[Via: Apple Insider]
Wow…. another “hot coffee” lawsuit. If you want to be an early adopter, don’t bitch when the price comes down. This just shows how ignorant many Americans are, always expecting to “get paid” and to be compensated for everything. How in the hell does this plaintiff expect a MILLION dollars in compensation because the price of a product dropped after purchase. I hope this case get thrown out and this lady is required to pay the attorney’s fees of Apple, AT&T and Steve Jobs. Lets free up our justice system for REAL injustices, not attempts at obtaining a meal ticket. Way to live the American dream, Ms. Li – you’re an embarrasment to the American people.
excellent journalism! it takes someone special to write an article about a woman suing and yet tittle it “Man Sues…”
YOU ALLL SUCK IF YOU BOUGHT AN IPHONE ON LAUNCH DAY YOU NEVER DO THAT IT LIKE ASKING YOU TO BURN 800$ YOU DONT DO IT