Ganz Webkinz Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

Award (how much your claim may be worth): You can receive a partial refund of the money you paid to purchase products from Ganz’s “core line” in order to buy Webkinz plush toys.

Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Case(s):  In Re: Webkinz Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 8-cv-1987-RS (MDL No. 1987), U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, San Francisco Division

Company(ies): GANZ, INC. and GANZ U.S.A., LLC

Website of the Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Administrator: www.PlushToysSettlement.com

Address to submit a claim form:

Class Members of the Ganz Webkinz antitrust class action lawsuit settlement will automatically be included in the class action settlement unless they exclude themselves by August 10, 2012. This means you do not need to file a claim form to receive settlement benefits. See www.PlushToysSettlement.com for more information.

Phone Number to call for assistance: (503) 350-5800

Details: Ganz USA has reached a $2.5 million class action lawsuit settlement over allegations it forced retailers to buy at least $1,000 in unrelated Ganz products in order to buy its popular Webkinz plush toys. If approved, retailers who purchased Webkinz toys between 2005 and 2008 can receive a partial refund from the class action lawsuit settlement.

The Webkinz settlement will resolve a class action lawsuit, entitled In re: Webkinz Antitrust Litigation, alleging Ganz violated federal and state antitrust and unfair trade practices law by forcing retailers to purchase products from Ganz’s “core line” as a condition of buying Webkinz products.

Ganz denies any wrongdoing, but has agreed to pay Class Members $2,575,000 to avoid the hassle of ongoing litigation.

Class Members of the Webkinz class action settlement include all persons or entities who purchased “core line” products within the Plush Market, Souvenirs and Novelties Market, Home Decorative Accessories Market, or Seasonal Decorations Market as a condition of buying Webkinz plush toys in the United States between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008.

The amount distributed to each Class Member will depend on the amount of “core line” product each Class Member purchased. Class Members will automatically be included in the Webkinz antitrust class action lawsuit settlement unless they exclude themselves by August 10, 2012.

A Final Approval Hearing for the Ganz Webkinz settlement is set for September, 13, 2012.

More information on your rights in the Ganz Webkinz Class Action Lawsuit Settlement can be found at www.PlushToysSettlement.com.

Purchased or Leased From:  January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008

Claims must be postmarked by: No claim forms are necessary

Settlement Administrator(s): Epiq Systems

Class Counsel:
Steven N. Williams
Matthew K. Edling
Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP

Defense Counsel:
James Serota
Scott Martin
Greenberg Traurig, LLP