Contents
Lenovo Class Settlement
If you bought a Lenovo laptop during 2014 or 2015, you may be eligible to take part in a class action lawsuit:
- Lenovo and Superfish agreed to install software called VisualDiscovery on some Lenovo laptop computers. Plaintiffs say the software slowed down the computers, invaded user privacy, and exposed users to security risks. Defendants deny these claims.
Laptop must have been purchased between September 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015 to be eligible.
Check your Eligibility and File a Claim Here
Who is Eligible?
To get money from the settlement, you have to be a class member. You are a class member if you bought one or more of the following Non-Think-branded Lenovo computer models, not for resale, within the United States between September 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015:
• G Series: G410, G510, G710, G40-70, G50-70, G40-30, G50-30, G50-45
• U Series: U430P, U430Touch, U530Touch
• Y Series: Y40-70, Y50-70
• Z Series: Z50-75, Z40-70, Z50-70
• Flex Series: Flex2 14D, Flex2 15D, Flex2 14, Flex2 15, Flex2 15(BTM), Flex 10
• MIIX Series: MIIX2-10, MIIX2-11
• YOGA Series: YOGA2Pro-13, YOGA2-13, YOGA2-11BTM, YOGA2-11HSW
You can tell what computer model you bought by looking at the bar code on the sticker on the bottom of your computer or in the Systems Information application on the computer. Additional information on how to determine your computer model is available at: https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/find-product-name.
How Much Will We Get?
Defendants will pay $8,300,000 into a Settlement Fund. After deductions for attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, and other expenses, the Fund will be distributed to class members who submit valid claims.
-
Class members who make a claim without supporting documents will get an estimated $40. Class members who make a properly documented claim could get more than the estimated $40. The amount you actually get will depend on how many computers you purchased, how many claims are submitted, and how much the Court allows in fees, costs, and expenses. For information on how to make claim, see below. For information on the Plan of Allocation, click here.
-
If you submit receipts or other documentation showing sums actually expended as a result of VisualDiscovery software being on the computer, you can get up to $750.
Important Dates
- Must submit a claim postmarked or submitted online by March 25, 2019
-
The Court will hold a hearing on April 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., to decide whether to approve the Settlement.
-
If the Court approves the Settlement, there still may be appeals of that decision. It is hard to estimate how long it might take for any appeals to be resolved.
-
If the Settlement is approved and no appeals are filed, the Claims Administrator anticipates that payments will be sent out within 3 months.
Final Thoughts
A lot of people didn’t get direct notice of the lawsuit, probably because they didn’t buy directly from Lenovo and never registered their device, so this is good to know. Most class action lawsuits result in a pittance for each member, but this one has a nice estimated payout of $40. Definitely worth signing up if you are eligible.
View Comments (19)
Received my $44 check yesterday via email and deposited directly into my bank account via the eCheckbook website.
Same here.
Received my settlement for 3 laptops bought in the stated period today. Nice $133, even slightly more than was predicted.
Where're the class action suits against Apple for so many of its product defects, such as changing the shielding plastic material on the L-tip Magsafe charger for Macbook Pro 2011-2012 that makes it super prone to shredding as if cats scratched it? In contrast the older Macbook Pro 2007 Magsafe with the T-tip is still going strong. Someone made a Reddit post about this change in material.
What arrives first, this or Spent app balance? #askingforafriend
"Thank you for contacting the Lenovo Adware Litigation Settlement Administrator.
The Court granted Final Approval to the Settlement on 04/24/2019. Claims processing is currently ongoing. You will be contacted if any further information is required to complete your claim. Benefit distribution is currently anticipated to occur later this year.
Please see http://www.LenovoAdwareSettlement.com for further information."
Does anyone know what law firm filed this suit? I'd like to speak to them about another suit against Lenovo for an issue that many of their thinkpads have.
I bought a Lenovo laptop in Jan. 2015, but there is no sticker on the bottom with the model number? Also, what kind of my documentation can I submit to prove I bought it? Doubt I'll be able to find the receipt from 4 years ago.
Wow finally. I remember when the news first broke about this. That's such a pathetic return -- $40 is a lot more than your average settlement but if you bought a $1000 computer, 4% back isn't worth much
Luckily, the $40 is good for computers that cost a lot less, like most Lenovos. I do have one and will apply for this, so thanks.
Dang, August 14th 2014. I wipe machines when I get them anyway and clean installs. This stuff is typical.
Ordered on March 20, 2015
That's awesome, thanks a lot for pointing that out!
I bought three U530 laptops in October 2014 and have no problem to show them the proof of purchase. It's my first class action I participate, so hopefully, it will work fine.
Somebody should also class action sue them for making the display joints of U530 so bad quality. :D All three of the laptops (each used by different person) got their joints damaged within 2 years of purchase.
Wow, I also bought a Lenovo laptop in Jan. 2015, and the joints on mine also got damaged just at the 2-year mark so I had no warranties or protections, felt I got majorly ripped off... well, at least it turns out it'll be $40 less of a rip-off :)