Click Fraud, Google Agrees To $90 Million Settlement In Class Action Lawsuit
Google has agreed to a $90 million settlement fund in the class action lawsuit filed by Lane's Gifts & Collectibles that came to light last April. We're working on getting details about who will be considered eligible for payment as part of the class, exact details and other information, so expect more to come and be postscripted here. Postscript 1: Google sent this statement:
We are proposing a settlement with the plaintiffs in this case. The proposal would allow advertisers to apply for credits for clicks they believe were not valid. Specific details of the settlement will remain confidential until it is presented to the judge. We do not know how many advertisers will apply and receive credits, but the total amount, including the legal fees determined by the judge, will not exceed $90 million.
Google's also posted a much longer statement on its blog here. It covers that the judge still needs to approve the settlement, which would allow any Google advertiser to apply for credit involving questionable clicks from 2002 through the official settlement date. Specifically, it would be credit to buy new advertising given, not a refund.
Important Legal Notice Regarding Your Google AdWords Account
This court-ordered notice may affect your legal rights. Please read it carefully. If you purchased online advertising from Google between January 1, 2002 and the present, you are a class member in a class-action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas. This notice is to inform you of the Court's certification of a class; the nature of the claims alleged; your right to participate in, or exclude yourself from, the class; a proposed settlement; and how you can claim an award of advertising credits under the settlement. Go to http://www.justonefact.com to download the legal notice.
Author: Steven Richards
Author Bio:
Steven Richards is a seasoned Web Consultant of over 12 years. He lives and works in Sydney Australia, operates a variety of web sites, and consults on SEO, PPC, and Internet Marketing.
