Peters vs. Apple Settlement Claim Form, Deadline, Payout Amount and Eligibility 

Recent headlines have announced a $25 million settlement in a class action lawsuit against Apple, known as Peters vs. Apple. This case centered on alleged misrepresentation regarding the Family Sharing feature and its ability to share subscriptions with non-Apple apps, the deadline to claim is March 01, 2024.

Peters vs. Apple Settlement Claim

The lawsuit, filed by Walter Peters, claimed that Apple misled users about the capabilities of Family Sharing.  The complaint alleged that Apple’s advertising and marketing incorrectly implied that subscriptions to all App Store apps could be shared within a Family Sharing group.

However, many third-party app developers do not support Family Sharing functionality for their subscriptions.The lawsuit argued that Apple’s marketing materials did not adequately clarify this point, leading users to believe their purchases could be shared when they ultimately couldn’t.

Apple Family Sharing Settlement Payout

The payout for the Apple Family Sharing settlement claim is still pending. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation:

Payout details:

• The total settlement amount is $25 million.
• The exact amount each individual receives will depend on the total number of claims submitted.
• Estimates suggest individuals might receive anywhere from $30 to $50, but this is not confirmed.
• This settlement does not constitute an admission of guilt, but it does provide compensation to eligible class members.

Settlement status:

• A final approval hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2024.
• Payments will not begin until after the final approval, which means they won’t happen before April 2024.

Apple’s Response in the Peters vs. Apple Family Sharing Settlement

Denial of Misrepresentation:

• Apple adamantly denied misleading users about Family Sharing functionality. They argued their marketing materials were clear and accurate.
• Their stance emphasized that:
  • App Store descriptions and terms of service explicitly state app developers choose if their subscriptions work with Family Sharing.
  • The Family Sharing feature page clarifies which aspects are controlled by developers.
  • They do not guarantee all subscriptions are compatible.

Key Arguments:

• User Responsibility: Users have the responsibility to read app descriptions and understand limitations before purchase.
• Developer Control: Apple cannot force developers to integrate their subscriptions with Family Sharing.
• Transparency: They maintained transparency by clearly stating developer control in relevant materials.

Reasons for Settlement:

• Despite their defence, Apple opted for a settlement likely due to:
  • Avoiding the cost and uncertainty of a prolonged legal battle.
  • Minimising negative publicity associated with the lawsuit.
  • Offering a potential resolution for affected users without admitting fault.

Who is eligible for the Peters vs. Apple Family Sharing settlement?

To be eligible for a potential payout in the Peters vs. Apple Family Sharing settlement, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Residency:

• You were a U.S. resident between September 5, 2015, and February 15, 2023.

Subscription Purchase:

• You paid for subscriptions to non-Apple apps through the App Store between September 5, 2015, and February 15, 2023. This excludes subscriptions to first-party Apple apps.

Sharing Attempt:

• You attempted to share those subscriptions with Family Sharing members but **were ** unable to do so because the app developer did not support Family Sharing for their subscriptions.
• This means you tried to utilise the Family Sharing feature to share the app subscription with others in your group, but it failed due to the app developer’s restrictions.

Excluded Individuals:

• Employees, officers, or agents of Apple Inc. were not eligible for the settlement.

How to claim in the Peters vs. Apple Family Sharing Settlement?

You can claim your share for Peters vs. Apple Family Sharing Settlement, by going through the step-by-step instructions.

File a Claim:

• Visit the official settlement website:

Claim Options:

• Payment ID and PIN: If you received a notice about the lawsuit, you’ll have a Payment ID and PIN to expedite the claim online.
• Without ID and PIN: If you didn’t receive a notice, you can still file a claim by providing required information on the form.

Supporting Documentation:

• Be prepared to provide supporting documents like purchase receipts or screenshots showing subscription attempts and limitations.

and Submit:

• Carefully review your claim information before submitting it electronically or by mail.