Internet Class Action Lawsuit Settlements

VoIP Providers Sonus, Vonage Settle Shareholder Class Actions
Two Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers settled class action lawsuits last week. Sonus settled its shareholder class action for $9.6 million. The suit alleged that Sonus had issued false statements about its financial health. Vonage, another VoIP, also settled its shareholder class action for an undisclosed amount.

$20 Million Settlement Proposed in VA Data Theft Class Action
A $20 million settlement has been proposed between the Veterans Affairs Department and veterans over the uncontrolled exposure of the veterans' personal information, and potential identity theft.

The class action suit was launched by 5 veterans following the admission of a VA data analyst in 2006, that he had had an external drive and a laptop computer stolen from his home. The tech had taken the equipment home without permission. Both the laptop and the external drive contained personal information on 26.5 million veterans and active-duty troops, including social security numbers and birthdays.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement veterans who can prove they have been harmed as a result of the data theft, will be eligible for payments ranging from $75 to $1,500. If any of the $20 million is left over after making payments, the remainder would be donated to veterans’ charities agreed to by the parties.

Google Settles Book-Scanning Class Actions for $125 Million
Nearly 3 years after the class actions suits were launched, it appears a settlement has been reached between US publishers and authors and Google. In 2005 the Association of American Publishers and the Authors Guild each filed class actions against the internet giant, for copyright infringement, alleging that Google was scanning books without permission.

However, after much debate by copyright experts, Google has agreed to pay $125 million to settle the dispute, and pay the legal costs of the 2 organizations. Additionally, Google will set up a Book Rights Registry, which will distribute payments that result from books accessed online through Google, as well as through any other providers of similar programs.

According to a report in the Globe and Mail, "The registry will also be responsible for locating rightsholders for old and out-of-print books, collecting and maintaining accurate info, and for providing a way for rightsholders to "request inclusion in or exclusion from the project." In effect, Google is setting up a body that does what ASCAP and similar groups do for musicians. The settlement applies only to US books and authors."