HP have settled two consumer class actions over HP LaserJet printers, giving class members internet credits for new HP printers and printing supplies to an amount of $5 million (€3.5 million), despite objections of plaintiffs who argued the terms of the deal were unfair.
Consumers originally hit HP with a class action in June 2007, alleging HP colour LaserJet printers possessed a “hard stop”: a setting that automatically halts the machines from printing once the printer indicates the cartridge is empty, even when not. A similar class action was filed in January 2009, although the cases were never consolidated.
The settlement terms allow consumers who owned LaserJet printers with cartridge shutdowns that could not be overridden to receive a $13 (€9) e-credit to purchase printers or printing supplies for HP’s online store. Consumers who possessed printers with cartridge shutdowns that could be overridden will receive a $7 (€5) e-credit.
The settlement also awarded $2 million (€1.4 million) in attorneys’ fees.
Named plaintiff James Young objected to the settlement’s terms at a fairness hearing in February, claiming the internet credits amounted to a “coupon settlement” that could not be approved as fair to the class, although Judge Guildford stated the arguments weren’t sufficient to justify changing the terms.