Attorney General Pam Bondi Announces Refunds for Consumers Misled by RealNetworks’ Online Music, Video and Game Servicesews Release
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release July 5, 2012
Contact: John Lucas Phone: 850.245.0150 john.lucas@myfloridalegal.com
Attorney General Pam Bondi Announces Refunds for Consumers Misled by RealNetworks’ Online Music, Video and Game Services
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi announced today that Florida consumers who were billed for subscriptions to online music, video and games services, such as Rhapsody, Superpass and Gamepass, may be eligible for refunds under an agreement with RealNetworks, Inc..
Up to $2 million in restitution is available to consumers who were charged for the services without their consent. These websites failed to disclose clearly that subscribers would be charged after initial free trial periods. The online services also used pre-checked consent boxes and allegedly engaged in other deceptive practices that are now prohibited by the agreement.
Consumers who were charged because they failed to uncheck pre-checked consent boxes will be notified individually that they are eligible for restitution. Other consumers who were charged by Rhapsody, Superpass or Gamepass may get restitution if:
they were enrolled in any of these services between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009;
they did not authorize a paid subscription, or they continued to be billed after they cancelled their subscriptions; and
they make a request for restitution by August 22, 2012, through the website realnetworksrestitution.com.
RealNetworks, a Washington company, is best known as the maker of RealPlayer, software that plays audio and video files. The refunds are part of an agreement reached between RealNetworks and the Washington Attorney General.
For more information, you can call toll-free at 866-229-7802.
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Please note that Florida has a broad public records law, and that all correspondence to me via email may be subject to disclosure.
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