eff: baker-final
TRANSCRIPT
8/14/2019 EFF: Baker-Final
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-2-COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES, RESCISSION AND UNLAWFUL AND UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES
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unwitting and non-consenting consumers unlawful contractual provisions designed to deter
consumers from seeking to enforce their rights. Defendants’ acted in concert and have
concocted a scheme to sell consumers in the State of California software licenses in retail
stores without allowing them to review the terms and conditions of such software licensesprior to sale - when consumers finally are able to view the software licenses for the first time
during the software installation process - consumers who do not electronically agree to such
terms and conditions are prohibited from using the software AND are prohibited from
returning the software to retail stores. If consumers are able to return the software to the
manufacturers such manufacturers have erected hurdles and unfair burdens on such consumers
including not refunding taxes paid, not refunding shipping and handling, and causing delays in
sending refund checks. Plaintiff Cathy Baker brings this action, as more fully stated below, to
stop defendants’ unlawful, misleading, and unfair business practices, and allow consumers to
make an informed decision on whether they want to agree to the onerous terms of such software
license agreements - and if consumers choose not to agree - then allow consumers a fair and
symmetrical way to return such software licenses to the retail stores where originally purchased
for a FULL refund.
THE UNLAWFUL AND UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES OF DEFENDANTS
1. Defendants Microsoft, Inc. (“Microsoft”) and Symantec, Inc. (“Symantec”) engage
in “shrinkwrap licensing” practices that compels consumers who purchase computer software to
open the software package and electronically agree to contractual terms not previously disclosed
at the point of retail sale before the software can be installed. The shrinkwrap or “clickwrap”
licensing practices unlawfully conceal contract terms from the consumer and impose unfair and
onerous contract terms on unwitting and non-consenting consumers. Defendants’ Microsoft and
Symantec further engage in “return policies” that declare that consumers who do not agree to
contract terms cannot return software to retailers but must deal with the manufacturer. Plaintiff is
informed, believes and thereon alleges that other manufacturers of computer software engage in
similar shrinkwrap licensing and return policies that are similarly onerous and plaintiff sues such
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other software manufacturers by the fictitious names Doe 1 through Doe 100 and collectively
identifies all such software manufacturers as “manufacturing defendants” herein. Defendant
CompUSA, Inc. (“CompUSA”) and Best Buy Co., Inc. (“Best Buy”) and other retailers sued
herein as Doe 101 through Doe 200 (collectively identified as the “retailing defendants” herein)sell and have sold the manufacturing defendants software programs licenses at retail to consumers
in the State of California and unlawfully have a policy of refusing to refund the purchase price if
the consumer rejects unfair and/or onerous provisions imposed by manufacturing defendants,
including Microsoft and Symantec, and the retailing defendants base their unlawful refusal to
refund on unfair policies that prohibit consumer return of software packages that have been
opened. If the consumer undertakes to return the software to the manufacturing defendants, some
manufacturing defendants, including Microsoft and Symantec, impose burdens, delays and
conditions designed to deter consumers from asserting their rights; and some manufacturing
defendants, including Microsoft and Symantec, fail to fully compensate consumers for their
losses. On information and belief the software manufacturing defendants herein are acting in
concert with the retailing defendants to concoct and carry out a scheme to unlawfully chill and
prevent the ability of consumers from returning software upon learning the terms of software
licensing agreements and from making informed decisions on whether to agree to onerous
software license agreements and defendants have erected hurdles and unfair and misleading
burdens on consumers who wish to assert their rights and who want to return the software license
for a refund.
2. The shrinkwrap licensing practice employed in connection with “Windows XP
Upgrade” software manufactured by Microsoft requires the consumer to agree to provisions, not
readily ascertainable prior to purchase or at the point of retail sale, stating that any dispute shall
be resolved under the law of the State of Washington, that Microsoft’s warranty is limited to
ninety (90) days after the original receipt of the software notwithstanding that additional software
may be automatically installed on the consumer’s computer by Microsoft after that date, that
Microsoft disclaims liability for “any damages, including but not limited to consequential
damages” and that Microsoft’s liability for damage caused by the software is limited to the cost of
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the software. Microsoft’s imposition of the law of the State of Washington is contrary to
California public policy. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, Civil Code §§ 1790 et.
seq., provides rights to California consumers that are superior to those imposed by the State of
Washington, including the right to attorney fees in the event of suit as set forth in Civil Code §1794(d). Because the shrinkwrap licensing practice conceals warranty disclaimers and
limitations, such warranty disclaimers and limitations violate Commercial Code § 2316 and Civil
Code §§ 1793 and 1793.1. “AS IS” and “WITH ALL FAULTS” disclaimers of warranty are
concealed in the interior of Microsoft’s shrinkwrap licensing practice and are not disclosed to the
consumer prior to sale, in violation of Civil Code § 1792.4. Microsoft’s disclaimers and
limitations would allow Microsoft to damage the consumer’s computer and destroy the
consumer’s computer-based information and escape liability for such damage and destruction.
Microsoft’s shrinkwrap licensing practice prohibits re-installation of the software after 30 days
unless the consumer provides personal identifying information to Microsoft, which, plaintiff is
informed, believe and thereon alleges, is used by Microsoft in violation of the consumer’s right to
privacy and Microsoft’s shrinkwrap licensing practice requires the consumer to agree to limit
attachment of peripheral devices to the consumer’s computer and to allow Microsoft to access the
consumer’s computer over the Internet without the consumer’s knowledge; such contract terms
are unlawful, onerous and/or unfair. Plaintiff is informed, believes and thereon alleges that
Microsoft has a business practice of using a similar shrinkwrap licensing practice with each
consumer software product manufactured by Microsoft. Microsoft’s shrinkwrap licensing
practices constitute unlawful, misleading, and unfair business practices.
3. The shrinkwrap licensing practice employed in connection with “Norton Antivirus”
software manufactured by Symantec require the consumer to electronically agree as condition of
software installation to provisions, well after the “purchase” from the retailer, that Symantec’s
warranty is limited to sixty (60) days and that Symantec’s liability for damage caused by the
software is limited to the cost of the software. Because the shrinkwrap or clickwrap licensing
practice conceals warranty disclaimers and limitations, such warranty limitations violate
Commercial Code § 2316 and Civil Code §§ 1793 and 1793.1. Terms imprinted on the box
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containing “Norton Antivirus 2002” and “Norton Systemworks 2003” posted on Symantec’s
website state that a dissatisfied consumer will not be compensated for state sales tax or shipping
costs, if any; but plaintiff is informed, believes and thereon alleges that Symantec has secretly
instructed defendant CompUSA, Inc. to accept returns of the software in facial violation of bothSymantec’s policies and CompUSA’s policies stated on the CompUSA sales receipt. But
consumers reading the Symantec box and Retailing defendants’ return policies may be chilled
from making such returns and unduly influenced into agreeing to such onerous licensing terms
provided for the first time on software installation since returning the software will result in an
overt monetary loss to the consumer. Plaintiff is informed, believes and thereon alleges that
Symantec has a business practice of using similar shrinkwrap and clickwrap licensing and return
policies and practices with each consumer software product manufactured by Symantec.
Symantec’s shrinkwrap licensing and return policies and practices constitute unlawful and unfair
business practices.
4. The shrinkwrap licensing practices and return practices of Microsoft and Symantec
constitute actual fraud as defined by Civil Code § 1572 in that said practices suppress that which
is true by each said defendant with knowledge of the fact and in that each said practice is an act
fitted to deceive consumers, all with the intent to induce consumers to purchase software and
refrain from seeking compensation for their losses if the consumer refuses to consent to contract
terms concealed by the shrinkwrap licensing practices. Retailing defendants connive with
Microsoft and Symantec to defraud consumers and each such retailing defendant is equally liable
with Microsoft and Symantec for such actual fraud.
5. In or about January, 2003, plaintiff Cathy Baker purchased a “Microsoft Windows
XP Upgrade” software package from an outlet maintained by CompUSA in Marin County,
California. “Windows XP Upgrade” contains components that are “assistive devices” as defined
in Civil Code § 1791, but CompUSA, and, on information and belief, retailing defendants in
general, fail in provide the warranty required by Civil Code § 1793.02.
6. In or about January 2003, plaintiff Cathy Baker purchased a Symantec “Norton
Antivirus” software package manufactured by Symantec from an outlet maintained by CompUSA
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in Marin County, California.
7. Plaintiff refused to agree to the terms of contract imposed by Microsoft and
Symantec through the shrinkwrap licensing practices. CompUSA indicated – in substance - on
the receipt that software was unreturnable once the shrinkwrap was opened. When plaintiff attempted to return the Microsoft software package to CompUSA and obtain a refund of the full
price paid, CompUSA refused to provide a refund, giving as a reason that the software package
had been opened. When plaintiff attempted to return the Symantec software package, CompUSA
informed plaintiff that software that had been opened was unreturnable under their return policy
but that Symantec had given CompUSA permission on a case by case basis to accept returns -
notwithstanding statements to the contrary on the software package box - and notwithstanding a
statement on the CompUSA sales receipt that the only relief provided by CompUSA would be
replacement with a copy of the same software. Plaintiff is informed, believes and thereon alleges
that each retailing defendant and each retailing defendant’s agents and employees invoke similar
business practices designed to chill attempts by consumers to seek a refund and to deny a refund
for returned software once a software package has been opened and/or to conceal secret return
policies of manufacturers in an effort to unlawfully chill consumers and members of the general
public from requesting a refund in the first instance.
8. Unlawful, unfair and onerous contract terms were concealed by the Microsoft and
Symantec shrinkwrap licensing practices and could not be discovered by the ordinary consumer
prior to opening the software package. The software packages purchased by plaintiff could not be
used unless plaintiff agreed to contract provisions that were violative of law as hereinabove
alleged and/or with respect to which plaintiff refused to consent. Any consent by plaintiff or the
ordinary consumer to the business practices of defendants was given by mistake or fraud
exercised by or with the connivance of each such defendant. The consideration for the payment
made by non-consenting consumers wholly fails. Plaintiff was and is entitled to rescind the
purchase agreement relating to the Microsoft software pursuant to Civil Code § 1689. Plaintiff
hereby gives notice of rescission to CompUSA of her purchase agreement relating to the
Microsoft software; and plaintiff offers to restore to said defendant that which has been received.
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At all times, plaintiff has been and is entitled to recover all payments made for the above-
referenced Microsoft software and to receive other compensation as provided for in Civil Code
§ 1692 and the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
9. Pursuant to Commercial Code § 2711, plaintiff has rightfully rejected and/or justifiably revoked acceptance with respect to the software packages involved and plaintiff is
entitled to recover from defendants involved in the manufacture or sale of software the price that
has been paid along with expenses reasonably incurred in the inspection, receipt, transportation,
care and custody of the software packages. Plaintiff also claims such rights pursuant to
Commercial Code § 2715. The refusals of defendants, and each of them, to recognize plaintiff’s
rights of rejection and/or revocation of acceptance and plaintiff’s right to obtain full
compensation constitute unlawful and unfair business practices.
10. When consumers attempt to return the package of “Windows XP Upgrade” to
Microsoft, Microsoft fails and refuses to compensate plaintiff and consumers for shipping and
handling expenses and further requires consumers to use and incur the costs of “Fedex type”
shipping services with mandatory tracking. The refusal of Microsoft to recognize plaintiff’s
rights of rejection and/or revocation of acceptance and obtain full compensation pursuant to
Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 constitutes an unlawful and unfair business practice.
Plaintiff is informed, believes that Microsoft has an unlawful business practice of failing and
refusing to provide compensation for shipping and handling and other expenses specified in
Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 as to other software packages manufactured by Microsoft.
11. In connection with return “Norton Antivirus” to Symantec, Symantec declares on
the box and on its website that it will not compensate a dissatisfied purchaser for sales tax,
shipping and handling expenses. Said declarations have an unfair chilling effect on consumers
and are violative of Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 and constitute unlawful and unfair
business practices. Plaintiff is informed, believes that Symantec has an unlawful business
practice of failing and refusing to provide compensation for taxes, shipping and handling and
other expenses specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 as to other software packages
manufactured by Symantec.
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PARTIES AND CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS
12. Plaintiff Cathy Baker is an individual residing in the County of Marin, State of
California.13. Plaintiff complains on behalf of herself and all California residents who have been
damaged by defendants’ wrongful acts and scheme in not providing software license agreements
to consumers prior to retail sale including those consumers who have not been able to get full
refunds of their software purchase price and/or who have been chilled by unlawful return policies
from obtaining such refunds and/or consumers who incurred unlawful fees and costs in an effort
to obtain a refund. Class members are California residents who have been damaged by wrongful
acts hereinabove alleged from the time of first manufacturing and sale by defendants of such
software as alleged herein to the present. Such class members are readily ascertainable but are so
numerous as to make joinder impractical. There is a well-defined community of interest in the
questions of law and fact involved in this action. The claims of the representative party or parties
are typical of the claims of the class and the representative party or parties will fairly and
adequately protect the interests of the class. Absent a class action, defendants will continue to
engage in the unlawful and unfair business practices herein alleged and/or defendants will retain
benefits wrongfully acquired.
14. Plaintiffs also brings this action in behalf of herself and, as authorized by Business
and Professions Code § 17204, to protect the interests of the General Public of the State of
California.
15. Plaintiff is informed, believes and thereon alleges that defendant Microsoft, Inc. is a
corporation doing business in the State of California and the County of Marin and a manufacturer
of software, including the “Windows XP Upgrade” purchased by plaintiff as hereinabove alleged,
that is sold in the State of California and the County of Marin.
16. Plaintiff is informed, believes and thereon alleges that defendant Symantec, Inc. is a
corporation doing business in the State of California and the County of Marin and a manufacturer
of software, including the “Norton Antivirus 2002” purchased by plaintiff as hereinabove alleged,
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that is sold in the State of California and the County of Marin.
17. Defendant CompUSA, Inc. is a corporation doing business in the State of California
and the County of Marin. Defendant Best Buy Co., Inc. is a corporation doing business in the
State of California and the County of Marin.18. Plaintiff is informed and believes and thereon alleges that manufacturers and
retailers of computer software other than the named defendants, whose identities and/or capacities
are not presently known, engage in practices similar to those alleged herein on the part of the
named defendants. Plaintiff is informed, believes and thereon alleges that individuals and
organizations whose identities and/or capacities are not presently known are responsible for the
wrongful acts herein alleged and/or for losses suffered by plaintiff and the General Public of
California as herein alleged. Plaintiff therefore sues such manufacturers, retailers, individuals and
organizations by the fictitious names Doe 1 through Doe 500, as authorized by Code of Civil
Procedure § 474. When the true names of such manufacturers, retailers and individuals and
organizations become known to plaintiff, plaintiff will amend this complaint pursuant to Code of
Civil Procedure § 474 to so allege.
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION AND CLAIM FOR RELIEF(Manufacturing Defendants’ Violations of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act)
19. Plaintiff re-alleges all allegations previously set forth and incorporates such
allegations by this reference.
20. By engaging in the hereinabove-alleged unlawful and unfair business practices, the
manufacturing defendants violated the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act including those
provisions set forth in Civil Code §§ 1792.3, 1792.4, 1793 and 1793.1.
21. Plaintiff and those similarly situated have been damaged by the foregoing violations
and by the failure and refusal of the manufacturing defendants to comply with Commercial Code
§§ 2711 and 2715.
22. Pursuant to Civil Code § 1794, plaintiff and those similarly situated seek recovery
of damages from the manufacturing defendants for such violations, including costs of taxes,
shipping and handling and other expenses specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 that
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have not previously been paid.
23. The failure of the manufacturing defendants to comply with the Song-Beverly
Consumer Warranty Act was willful and plaintiff and those similarly situated are entitled to
recover a civil penalty pursuant to Civil Code § 1794(c).24. Pursuant to Civil Code § 1794(a), plaintiff and those similarly situated request that
the court enjoin the hereinabove-alleged violations of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
(the “Act”) and require each manufacturing defendant to:
a. Remove all terms and conditions from its licensing agreement with
consumers that are unlawful and unfair under the Act and include therein all warranties
required by law in the form and manner required by the Act as to California residents;
b. Include with each package of software shipped to each retailer in the State of
California a separate printed copy of all terms and conditions in the licensing agreement
and require, as a condition of the transaction with the retailer, that each such retailer post
such a printed copy of such terms and conditions adjacent to the display of software
packages or provide such a separate printed copy of such terms and conditions to the
consumer prior to the sale of the software.
c. Modify its practices with respect to returns from consumers to provide full
compensation for all taxes, shipping and handling and other expenses as specified in
Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715.
25. Pursuant to Civil Code § 1794, plaintiff requests that the court award plaintiff a sum
equal to the aggregate amount of costs and expenses including attorney’s fees.
SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION AND CLAIM FOR RELIEF(Retailing Defendants’ Violations of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act)
26. Plaintiff re-alleges all allegations previously set forth and incorporates such
allegations by this reference.
27. By engaging in the hereinabove-alleged unlawful and unfair business practices, the
retailing defendants violated the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act including those
provisions set forth in Civil Code §§ 1792.3, 1792.4, 1793, 1793.02 and 1793.1.
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28. Plaintiff and those similarly situated have been damaged by the foregoing violations
and by the failure and refusal of the retailing defendants to refund the full purchase price and
comply with Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715.
29. Pursuant to Civil Code § 1794, plaintiff and those similarly situated seek recoveryof damages from the retailing defendants for such violations, including costs of taxes, shipping
and handling and other expenses specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 that have not
previously been paid.
30. The failure of the retailing defendants to comply with the Song-Beverly Consumer
Warranty Act was willful and plaintiff and those similarly situated are entitled to recover a civil
penalty pursuant to Civil Code § 1794(c).
31. Pursuant to Civil Code § 1794(a), plaintiff and those similarly situated request that
the court enjoin the hereinabove-alleged violations of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
(the “Act”) and require the retailing defendants to:
a. Separately affirm in a printed statement posted adjacent to the display of
software packages or provided to the consumer prior to the sale of any software that the
purchase of any software is governed by California law, including the provisions of the Act,
and that the retailer adheres to all requirements of California law with respect to warranties
and warranty disclaimers and/or limitations;
b. Post in a printed statement adjacent to the display of software packages or
provided to the consumer prior to the sale of any software any and all modifications to the
contract terms imposed by the manufacturer as are necessary to bring said contract terms
into compliance with California law and the Act and affirm that the retailer will recognize
the full force and effect of such modifications regardless of any recognition by the
manufacturer.
c. Modify its practices with respect to returns from consumers who refuse to
agree to contract terms imposed by the manufacturer of software to provide full
compensation for the purchase price and all taxes, shipping and handling and other
expenses as specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715.
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32. Pursuant to Civil Code § 1794, plaintiff requests that the court award plaintiff a sum
equal to the aggregate amount of costs and expenses including attorney’s fees.
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION AND CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Rescission as to All Defendants)33. Plaintiff re-alleges all allegations previously set forth and incorporates such
allegations by this reference.
34. In connection with each sale of a software package manufactured by a
manufacturing defendant and sold by a retailing defendant, as hereinabove alleged, each
manufacturing defendant and each retailing defendant concealed contract provisions as
hereinabove alleged and committed other acts fitted to deceive as hereinabove alleged.
Defendants named herein as Doe defendants were also responsible for such concealments for
such other acts fitted to deceive. Each and every such act constituted actual fraud under Civil
Code § 1572.
35. Each defendant involved in any particular transaction acted as a duly authorized
agent of each other defendant in connection with each act of actual fraud involved in said
transaction. In the alternative, each defendant aided and abetted the wrongful acts of each other
defendant with knowledge thereof. In the alternative, each defendant ratified the wrongful acts of
each other defendant.
36. The concealments of each defendant and each other act fitted to deceive was carried
out by each defendant with the intent of inducing plaintiff and those similarly situated to purchase
software or to refrain from enforcing rights with respect thereto. Each defendant acted with
knowledge of its wrongful acts. Plaintiff and those similarly situated relied on the absence of
unlawful, unfair and onerous contract provisions and the absence of unlawful and unfair business
practices in connection with the purchase of software manufactured for consumers by purportedly
honest manufacturers and sold by purportedly honest retailers. Reliance by plaintiff and those
similarly situated was reasonable.
37. As a consequence of the hereinabove-alleged wrongful acts of defendants, and each
of them, plaintiff and those similarly situated are entitled to rescind their contracts on the grounds
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that consent to such contract was induced by fraud exercised by or with the connivance of the
adverse parties. Plaintiff and those similarly situated are also entitled to reject the software
packages and to revoke acceptance pursuant to Commercial Code § 2711 and to recover
incidental and consequential damages pursuant to Commercial Code § 2715..38. In addition to recovery of money owing to plaintiff and those similarly situated by
the parties to the contract or parties which connived with them, plaintiff and those similarly
situated seek the recovery of punitive damages on the grounds that the acts of fraud of defendants,
and each of them, were done with malice, fraud and oppression as defined in Civil Code § 3294.
FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION AND CLAIM FOR RELIEF(Manufacturing Defendants’ Unlawful and Unfair Business Practices)
39. Plaintiff re-alleges all allegations previously set forth and incorporates such
allegations by this reference.
40. The hereinabove-alleged unlawful and unfair business practices of the
manufacturing defendants are subject to the Unfair Business Practices Act set forth in Business
and Professions Code §§ 17200 et. seq.
41. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17203, plaintiff requests that the court
enjoin such unlawful and unfair business practices and require each manufacturing defendant to:
a. Remove all terms and conditions from its licensing agreement with
consumers that are unlawful and unfair and include therein all warranties required by
California law in the form and manner required by California law as to California residents;
b. Include with each package of software shipped to each retailer in the State of
California a separate printed copy of all terms and conditions in the licensing agreement
and require, as a condition of the transaction with the retailer, that each such retailer post
such a printed copy of such terms and conditions adjacent to the display of software
packages or provide such a separate printed copy of such terms and conditions to the
consumer prior to the sale of the software or in the alternative provide a specific URL for
such licensing terms and conditions on the packaging and a simple means of reviewing such
URL’s related web page at or near the point of sale prior to purchase.
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c. Modify its practices with respect to returns from consumers to provide full
compensation for all taxes, shipping and handling and other expenses as specified in
Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715.
42. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17203, plaintiff requests that the courtorder the manufacturing defendants to restore to plaintiff and to all persons who have returned
software to the manufacturing defendants within the four years preceding the filing of this
complaint, or to persons claiming through such persons, full compensation for all taxes, shipping
and handling and other expenses as specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 not
previously paid, along with all profits gained through the use of unlawful and unfair business
practices.
43. Plaintiff requests an award of attorney fees pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §
1021.5.
FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION AND CLAIM FOR RELIEF(Retailing Defendants’ Unlawful and Unfair Business Practices)
44. Plaintiff re-alleges all allegations previously set forth and incorporates such
allegations by this reference.
45. The hereinabove-alleged unlawful and unfair business practices of the retailing
defendants are subject to the Unfair Business Practices Act set forth in Business and Professions
Code §§ 17200 et. seq.
46. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17203, plaintiff requests that the court
enjoin such unlawful and unfair business practices and require each retailing defendant to:
a. Separately affirm in a printed statement posted adjacent to the display of
software packages or provided to the consumer prior to the sale of any software that the
purchase of any software is governed by California law and that the retailer adheres to all
requirements of California law with respect to warranties and warranty disclaimers and/or
limitations;
b. Post in a printed statement adjacent to the display of software packages or
provided to the consumer prior to the sale of any software any and all modifications to the
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contract terms imposed by the manufacturer as are necessary to bring said contract terms
into compliance with California law and affirm that the retailer will recognize the full force
and effect of such modifications regardless of any recognition by the manufacturer.
c. Modify its practices with respect to returns from consumers who refuse toagree to contract terms imposed by the manufacturer of software to provide full returns and
compensation for the purchase price and all taxes, shipping and handling and other
expenses as specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715.
d. Post such a printed copy of such licensing terms and conditions adjacent to
the display of software packages or provide such a separate printed copy of such terms and
conditions to the consumer prior to the sale of the software or in the alternative provide a
specific URL for such licensing terms and conditions on the packaging and a simple means
of reviewing such URL’s related web page at or near the point of sale prior to purchase.
47. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code § 17203, plaintiff requests that the court
order the retailing defendants to restore to plaintiff and to all persons who have chosen not to agree
to defendants manufacturer’s software licensing agreement and/or returned software to the retailing
defendants within the four years preceding the filing of this complaint, or to persons claiming
through such persons, full compensation for the purchase price and all taxes, shipping and handling
and other expenses as specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715 not previously paid, along
with all profits gained through the use of unlawful, misleading, and unfair business practices.
48. Plaintiff requests an award of attorney fees pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §
1021.5.
WHEREFORE, plaintiff prays for judgment as follows:
1. The recovery from defendants, and each of them, of the purchase price of each
software package manufactured by each manufacturing defendant and sold by each retailing
defendant to class members, including all taxes, shipping and handling and other expenses to the
extent not previously paid.
2. An injunction against the manufacturing defendants, and each of them, requiring
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each manufacturing defendant to:
a. Remove all terms and conditions from its licensing agreement with
consumers that are unlawful and unfair and/or violative of the Song-Beverly Consumer
Warranty Act and include therein all warranties required by law in the form and manner required by law and/or the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act;
b. Include with each package of software shipped to each retailer in the State of
California a separate printed copy of all terms and conditions in the licensing agreement
and require, as a condition of the transaction with the retailer, that each such retailer post
such a printed copy of such terms and conditions adjacent to the display of software
packages or provide such a separate printed copy of such terms and conditions to the
consumer prior to the sale of the software or in the alternative provide a specific URL for
such licensing terms and conditions on the packaging and a simple means of reviewing such
URL’s related web page at or near the point of sale prior to purchase.
c. Modify its practices with respect to returns from consumers to provide full
compensation for all taxes, shipping and handling and other expenses as specified in
Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715.
3. An injunction against the retailing defendants, and each of them, requiring each
retailing defendant to:
a. Separately affirm in a printed statement posted adjacent to the display of
software packages or provided to the consumer prior to the sale of any software that the
purchase of any software is governed by California law, including the provisions of the
Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, and that the retailer adheres to all requirements of
California law with respect to warranties and warranty disclaimers and/or limitations;
b. Post in a printed statement adjacent to the display of software packages or
provided to the consumer prior to the sale of any software any and all modifications to the
contract terms imposed by the manufacturer as are necessary to bring said contract terms
into compliance with California law and the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranties Act and
affirm that the retailer will recognize the full force and effect of such modifications
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regardless of any recognition by the manufacturer.
c. Modify its practices with respect to returns from consumers who refuse to
agree to contract terms imposed by the manufacturer of software to provide full returns and
compensation for the purchase price and all taxes, shipping and handling and other expenses as specified in Commercial Code §§ 2711 and 2715.
d. Post such a printed copy of such licensing terms and conditions adjacent to
the display of software packages or provide such a separate printed copy of such terms and
conditions to the consumer prior to the sale of the software or in the alternative provide a
specific URL for such licensing terms and conditions on the packaging and a simple means
of reviewing such URL’s related web page at or near the point of sale prior to purchase.
4. An order requiring the manufacturing defendants to restore to plaintiff and to all
persons who have chosen not to agree to the software manufacturing defendants’ software
licensing agreements and/or returned software to the manufacturing defendants within the four
years preceding the filing of this complaint, or to persons claiming through such persons, full
compensation for all taxes, shipping and handling and other expenses as specified in Commercial
Code §§ 2711 and 2715 not previously paid, along with all profits gained through the use of
unlawful and unfair business practices and/or the creation of a common fund for such remedy or
compensation and/or cy pres to non-profit consumer protection and privacy organizations to assist
in consumer protection and education and allowing consumers to make an informed decision
prior to purchase on whether or not to agree to software licensing agreements and consequences
of such agreements and related consumer rights.
5. An order requiring the retailing defendants to restore to plaintiff and to all persons
who have returned software to the retailing defendants within the four years preceding the filing of
this complaint, or to persons claiming through such persons, full compensation for the purchase
price and all taxes, shipping and handling and other expenses as specified in Commercial Code §§
2711 and 2715 not previously paid, along with all profits gained through the use of unlawful and
unfair business practices.
6. Civil penalties pursuant to Civil Code § 1794(c) as to awards of damages under the
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Song-Beverly Consumer Warranties Act.
7. Punitive damages for actual fraud committed with malice, fraud and oppression.
8. Plaintiff’s attorney fees pursuant to private attorney general, common law, and/or
statute including Civil Code § 1794 and/or Code of Civil Procedure § 1021.5.9. Such other and further relief as the court shall deem just and proper.
Plaintiff hereby requests a jury trial on all issues triable by jury.
Dated: February 7, 2003 ROTHKEN LAW FIRM
By:
Ira P. Rothken, Esq.,
Attorneys for plaintiff Cathy Baker,all others similarly situated and on behalf of
The General Public of the State of California
//IPR//