Crisco Oil False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit

By Kimberly Mirando

A class action lawsuit filed Monday accuses J.M. Smucker Co. of falsely advertising that its Crisco cooking oils are all natural, even though they’re heavily processed and made from genetically modified crops.

Plaintiff Adrianna Ault alleges in the Crisco class action lawsuit that she only purchased the cooking oils based on their “all natural” labeling claims, and would not have purchased them or paid as much as she did if she knew the truth. Ault says Smucker targets consumers like her who are willing to pay more for an all-natural product.

“Although the products are not 'all natural,' or natural at all, defendant prominently labels every bottle of the products sold in the United States as 'all natural.' Defendant does this because consumers perceive all natural foods as better, healthier and more wholesome,” Ault says in the class action lawsuit.

ADT Customers Sue Over Early Termination Fees

By Jessica Tyner

In the world of home security systems, ADT is a leader. Like other home security companies, ADT charges an early termination fee (ETF) when customers cancel their service early. After all, if that wasn’t in place, there would be no deterrent for customers to break the contracts left and right.

However, a recent ETF class action lawsuit claims that the way ADT handles things also violates California’s Consumer Protection Act. The ADT class action lawsuit claims that by demanding outrageous cancellation fees while simultaneously increases fees for customers who continue service, the company is forcing people to pony up more cash one way or another.

Number of TCPA Claims Up 50 Percent from Last Year

By Anne Bucher

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (TCPA), a company will be liable for a violation of the TCPA if the company initiates an unsolicited call to a consumer’s cell phone. The law was enacted to protect consumers from unsolicited telemarketing calls. As telephone and computer technology has improved over the years, enforcement of the TCPA has become increasingly challenging. The TCPA applies to any unsolicited communication that occurs via phone call, text message or fax machine.

Lawsuits Over Drywall Price-Fixing Move Forward

By Jessica Tyner

There have been so many complaints about drywall manufacturers’ alleged price-fixing that a class action lawsuit over antitrust violations has picked up steam, and a judge recently appointed counsel for the victims. The drywall victims include two types of plaintiffs: homeowners and direct buyers (such as owners of lumber companies). According to the class action lawsuit, there are at least eight drywall manufacturers mixed up in the alleged price-fixing scheme. By working together, it’s alleged that the drywall companies conspired to “fix” the prices of drywall, driving up costs 35 percent.

Penguin Announces $75M E-Book Pricing Class Action Settlement

By Matt O'Donnell

Penguin, the last remaining defendant to settle state and consumer lawsuits accusing it of driving up the price of e-books, has finally reached a class action lawsuit settlement. The book publisher announced yesterday it will pay $75 million to resolve claims it conspired with Apple and other publishers to fix and raise the prices of electronic books.

The Penguin settlement marks the end to a massive litigation involving 33 state attorneys general as well as a class action lawsuit filed by consumers who accuse the book publishers of violating antitrust laws and causing consumers to overpay for e-books. Macmillan and Penguin held out in settling their portion of the case, while the remaining book publisher defendants -- Simon and Schuster, HarperCollins, Penguin and Hachette – reached settlements last year.