MacBook Keyboard Settlement
If you purchased a MacBook and had to pay for repairing the keyboard, you may be eligible to receive money from this $50 million Class Action Settlement.
The class action complaint accuses Apple of selling computers with defective “butterfly” keyboards which are “prone to fail.” The settlement covers anyone who purchased an Apple MacBook between 2015-2019 and paid to get they keyboard repaired within 4 years of purchase.
The complaint alleges that the “Butterfly” keyboards in Apple’s MacBook are defective and users have faced the following issues with it:
- Key(s) feel “sticky” or do not respond in a consistent manner.
- Multiple letters appear on a single key press.
- Letters do not appear even when the key(s) are pressed.
Apple disputes the validity of the claims made against it in the lawsuit and says that no MacBooks are faulty. Apple denied all allegations. However, to get rid of the lawsuit, Apple has accepted the $50 million proposed settlement.
What are the defects in Apple MacBook’s keyboards?
The complaint alleges that Apple markets its laptop computers as the best in class. Despite knowing that their “butterfly” keyboards are defective.
“The keyboard defect is a physical problem that compromises the MacBook’s central functionality. Because of the defect, at least thousands of consumers who purchased a MacBook have had keys become non-responsive or fail entirely.”
In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation, Case No. 5:18-cv-02813-EJD-VKD
The Class Action complaint alleges that Apple was aware of the problems with its Butterfly Keyboards before they started selling them to the public. Furthermore, Apple started receiving consumer complaints in 2015, shortly after they introduced the butterfly keyboards to the MacBooks.
The complaint claims that “tens of thousands of consumers have reported sticky, unreliable, or non-responsive keys on their MacBook keyboards.” Evidently, the complaint cites a Change.org petition seeking recall of the defective MacBook keyboards. The said petition now has over forty two thousand signatures. The lawsuit cites several pages of user complains regarding these defects with Apple MacBook keyboards.
Allegedly, each of the 12 plaintiffs in this case had their MacBook’s keyboard repaired within the first four years after purchase.
Which MacBooks are covered under this Settlement?
The Settlement Class would include all persons and entities in the United States who bought an affected MacBook between 2015 and 2019. The following makes/models are covered under this settlement:
- MacBook – Retina, 12-inch (2015, 2016, 2017)
- MacBook Air – Retina, 13-inch (2018, 2019)
- MacBook Pro – 13-inch, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports (2016, 2017, 2019)
- MacBook Pro – 13-inch, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports (2016, 2017)
- MacBook Pro – 13-inch, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports (2018, 2019)
- MacBook Pro – 15-inch (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Choose “About This Mac” from the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen to see what model of MacBook you have. For more information, you can call the Claims Administrator at 1-855-579-1311.
What does the settlement offer to the class members?
Apple agreed to pay $50 million to the Settlement Fund. The twelve Plaintiffs who filed the cases will each be eligible to receive $5,000. After deductions of other costs and Attorneys fees, the three categories of the Settlement Class will be eligible to share the remaining amount.
The final amounts for each group will depend upon the number of valid claims received. Settlement Class Members under Group 1 may expect to receive between $300 and $395. Valid claimants under Group 2 may receive up to $125. While those under Group 3 may receive around $50 each.
You may review the MacBook Keyboard Settlement Agreement for more details. The Settlement is yet to be approved by the Court. The Approval hearing for this Class Settlement is to be held on March 16, 2023. Check out the Key Dates page on the official settlement website.
Can you receive money from this Settlement? Which Group do you fall under?
Did you have your Apple MacBook keyboard fixed at an Apple Authorized Service Provider? If yes, then you may be eligible to receive money under this Class Action Settlement. Read further to find out how.
Group 1: Multiple Topcase Replacements. You are in Group 1 if you got two or more Topcase Replacements within four years of buying a MacBook, and before November 28, 2024. You will receive an initial payment of $300, without the need to submit any claims. The final settlement amount could vary depending upon the total number of claims in this group. Each Group 1 member may be eligible to receive a maximum amount of $395.
Group 2: Single Topcase Replacement. You are in Group 2 if you got a single Topcase Replacement in four years of buying one of above listed MacBooks. You must submit a claim before March 6, 2023 to be eligible to receive money as a member of this group. Each member of Group 2 may receive up to a maximum of $125.
Group 3: Keycap Replacements. You are in Group 3 if you got one or more Keycap Replacements within four years of buying one of the MacBooks listed above. You must submit a claim before March 6, 2023 to be a part of this group. If your purchase/repair is not found in Apple’s records, you may need to provide proof of purchase or repair. Group 3 members may receive a maximum of $50, or less, depending upon the total number of valid claims.
How can you receive money from this Settlement?
If you are a member of Group 2 or Group 3, you must submit a claim to be eligible to receive a payment under the Apple MacBook Keyboard Settlement. Class Members will receive an email or postcard with their Unique ID and PIN. This Unique ID and PIN are required to fill out a claim form.
Using your Unique ID and PIN, you may either fill the Claim Form Online, or you may download this Paper Claim Form and fill it manually. You may even fill out a form without a Unique ID or PIN. If you haven’t received notice but think you’re eligible for the Class, fill out this form without a Unique ID.
Duly filled and signed Paper Claim Forms are to be mailed to In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91341, Seattle, WA 98111.
Please remember to submit the claim form before March 6, 2023 to receive money from this Settlement.
You may be eligible to receive money from this Settlement without submitting any claims only if you’re a member of Group 1 of the Settlement Class. If you have received a notice informing you that you’re a member of the Group 1 of the Settlement Class, you don’t need to take any actions.
What if you purchased more than one MacBook?
Each MacBook may be eligible for one claim. If you purchased more than one MacBooks from the above list, you may have multiple claims – one for each eligible MacBook. You will have to submit a separate claim for each of the computers under Group 2 or Group 3.
For consumers who purchased 25 or more eligible MacBooks, they may email the Claims Administrator at [email protected] with your Unique ID for further assistance.
For further details or assistance on Apple MacBook Keyboard Settlement:
You may visit the official settlement website: https://www.keyboardsettlement.com/
Email the Claims Administrator at: [email protected]
Call the Claims Administrator at: 1-855-579-1311
Or write to the Claims Administrator at: In re MacBook Keyboard Litigation Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91341, Seattle, WA 98111.
Become a member of a settlement class.
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