Class Action Complaint Against Apple Over M1 MacBook Display Issues

Case 5:21-cv-07112 Document 1 Filed 09/14/21 Page 1 of 39
1 MIGLIACCIO & RATHOD LLP

Selin Demir, Esq. (SBN 331418)
2 Nicholas Migliaccio, pro hac vice forthcoming
Jason Rathod, pro hac vice forthcoming
3 388 Market St., Suite 1300
San Francisco, CA 94111
4 Telephone: (415) 489-7004
5 Facsimile: (202) 800-2730
6 Robert Mackey, Esq. (SBN 125961)

Law Offices of Robert Mackey
7 16320 Murphy Road
Sonora, CA 95370
8
9 Attorneys for Plaintiffs
10
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
11 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
12 DAPHNE PAREAS and DANIEL FRIEND, Case No.:
13 on behalf of themselves and all others similarly
situated, CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
14
Plaintiffs, for:
15 v.
16 (1) Violations of California Consumer Legal
APPLE, INC., Remedies Act
17 (2) Violations of California Unfair
Defendant. Competition Law
18 (3) Violations of California False
Advertising Law
19
(4) Breach of Express Warranty under the
20 Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
(5) Breach of Express Warranty
21 (6) Breach of Express Warranty under the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
22 (7) Breach of Implied Warranty under the
23 Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act
(8) Breach of Implied Warranty
24 (9) Breach of Implied Warranty under the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
25 (10) Fraud by Concealment
(11) Unjust Enrichment
26
27 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
28
CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT - 1

1 1. Plaintiffs Daphne Pareas and Daniel Friend (“Plaintiffs”) bring this consumer class
2 action for themselves and on behalf of all persons who purchased in the United States, or just in
3 California, an M1 MacBook Air laptop or M1 MacBook Pro laptop (the “Class Laptops”), designed,
4 manufactured, distributed, and sold by Apple, Inc. (“Apple” or “Defendant”). This action seeks to
5 remedy violations of law in connection with Defendant’s design, manufacture, marketing, advertising,
6 selling, warranting, and servicing of the Class Laptops.
7 2. The Class Laptops are designed and manufactured with an inherent defect that
8 compromises the display screen. During ordinary usage the display screens of the Class Laptops (1)
9 may become obscured with black or gray bars and/or “dead spots” where no visual output is displayed
10 and (2) are vulnerable to cracks that obscure portions of the display (the “Screen Defect”). The
11 appearance of black or gray bars on screen may precede, accompany, or follow cracks in the display
12 glass. These problems often develop while the Class Laptops are closed; many Class Laptop owners
13 have reported that they first observed cracking and/or display malfunction when opening their devices
14 from a closed position. Others report that their screens cracked as they adjusted the screen’s viewing
15 angle in an ordinary manner. A reasonable consumer would not expect such activity to damage their
16 device, let alone cause an obscured display and/or a screen crack that impairs its functionality.
17 3. Defendant concealed, failed to disclose, or otherwise engaged in deceptive marketing
18 with respect to this defect, particularly with respect to the quality of the Class Laptops’ display screen
19 and their overall reliability and durability.
20 4. Defendant’s marketing materials boast of the Class Laptops’ state-of-the-art “Retina
21 display.” Among other purported benefits, Defendant touts the “better picture” offered by the “brilliant
22 Retina display” on the Macbook Pro 13” Class Laptop, Apple.com, available at
23 https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-13/ (last accessed September 11, 2021), and the “new levels of
24 detail and realism” and “Lifelike colors” of the Retina display on the Macbook Air Class Laptop,
25 Apple.com, available at https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/ (last accessed September 11, 2021).
26 Defendant also highlights the small-bezel design of the Macbook Air screen, stating: “the display glass
27 goes right to the edge of the enclosure, so nothing takes away from your gorgeous view.” Apple.com,
28 available at https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/ (last accessed September 11, 2021).

1 5. Defendant’s marketing of the Class Laptops also promises superior reliability and
2 durability, proclaiming that both models are “Designed to last,” and explaining that “To maximize
3 durability, we assessed the [Class Laptops] in our Reliability Testing Lab, using rigorous testing
4 methods that simulate customers’ experiences” and “our products go through rigorous testing before
5 they leave our doors.” 13-Inch Macbook Air Product Environmental Report, Apple.com, available at
6 https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/products/notebooks/13-
7 inch_MacBookAir_PER_Nov2020.pdf (last accessed Sep. 11, 2021); 13-Inch Macbook Pro Product
8 Environmental Report, Apple.com, available at
10 inch_MacBookPro_PER_Nov2020.pdf (last accessed Sep. 11, 2021). Defendant’s marketing materials
11 for the thin and lightweight Macbook Air extol its superior materials and durability. Per its product
12 webpage, the device is “Thin and Light. Yet rock solid,” and its “sturdy aluminum unibody design
13 makes MacBook Air sleek, durable, and ready for anything.” M1 Macbook Air Product Page,
14 Apple.com (Nov. 10, 2020), available at https://www.apple.com/lae/macbookair/index.html (last
15 accessed Sep. 11, 2021).
16 6. Defendant also uniformly represented to consumers that it had years of experience in the
17 manufacture of computers and mobile devices and was in effect an expert in the manufacture, design,
18 and use of computers.
19 7. Plaintiffs and Class members saw or heard these representations from Defendant about
20 the Class Laptops prior to purchasing their devices and relied on these representations in making their
21 purchases. As a result, many consumers purchased Class Laptops that became practically unusable
22 after months or even days of use.
23 8. When the Screen Defect manifests it impairs the computer’s graphical user interface. As
24 a result, the user’s ability to input information into the computer and to view program output (which is
25 to say, the primary modes of user interaction with a computer) is dramatically reduced. Thus, the
26 Defect renders the computer partially or wholly unusable.
27 9. When Plaintiffs and Class Members have complained to Apple during the term of
28 Apple’s standard one-year limited warranty, Apple’s “solution” typically involves removing the

1 defective screen and installing an equally defective replacement. When the screens fail outside of the
2 warranty, Apple charges up to $700 for a replacement screen, which is a temporary fix at best as
3 replacement screens also suffer from the Screen Defect.
4 10. The Screen Defect inhibits Class Members’ use of their Laptops and requires Class
5 Members to pay for repeated temporary fixes or extended warranties, which Apple knew or should
6 have known are not permanent solutions for the Screen Defect.
7 11. Apple’s knowledge of the Screen Defect was or should have been apparent from Apple’s
8 own pre-release testing, consumer complaints, warranty claim data, repair data, and replacement part
9 sales data. Despite this knowledge, Defendant failed to disclose and actively concealed the Screen
10 Defect from Plaintiffs, Class Members, and the public, and continued to market and advertise the Class
11 Laptops as state-of-the-art premium and durable laptops when in fact normal operation of the Class
12 Laptops often results in catastrophic damage, rendering the devices unusable.
13 12. As a result of Apple’s misconduct, Plaintiffs and Class Members were harmed and
14 suffered actual damages, including that the Class Laptops contain defective screens, have manifested
15 and continue to manifest the Screen Defect, and that Apple has not provided a remedy for the Screen
16 Defect. Plaintiffs and Class Members have also incurred, and will continue to incur, out-of-pocket
17 unreimbursed costs and expenses related to the Screen Defect.
18 PARTIES
19 13. Plaintiff Daphne Pareas is a citizen of California residing in Los Altos, California.
20 14. On November 27th, 2020, Plaintiff Pareas placed an order on the Apple Online Store for
21 a 13-inch MacBook Air with an M1 chip for $1,127.00, plus shipping costs.
22 15. Prior to purchasing her Class Laptop, Plaintiff Pareas read and relied upon Apple’s
23 marketing and sales materials on the Apple Online Store concerning its durability and functionality.
24 16. On or around early June 2021, cracks began to form on the laptop’s screen and were
25 soon accompanied by black bars streaking across the display. Plaintiff had not used the laptop in any
26 manner different from her prior daily routine when the Screen Defect first manifested.
27 17. Shortly thereafter, on June 14th, 2021, Plaintiff Pareas visited Mobile Kangaroo in San
28 Jose, CA, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, to explore what repair options were available to her.

1 During this visit, Plaintiff was told that the damage to her Screen would not be covered by Apple’s
2 warranty program. She was quoted a repair cost of $480.00.
3 18. For financial reasons, Plaintiff Pareas has opted to forego repairs. Since the initial
4 damage, Plaintiff has only been able to use her laptop when plugged into an external monitor, i.e., as a
5 desktop computer, rendering impossible its use as a laptop.
6 19. In the months following her service visit, Plaintiff Pareas read many online accounts of
7 other M1 MacBook owners who had also experienced the Screen Defect. As a result, Plaintiff
8 contacted Apple Support directly on or around early August 2021. After a lengthy online chat session,
9 Apple Support transferred her to a phone representative who helped her schedule an appointment with
10 a “Genius Bar”—tech support centers located inside Apple retail stores and wholly staffed and
11 administered by Apple—in Santa Clara, California.
12 20. During her subsequent Genius Bar appointment, Defendant’s support staff informed
13 Plaintiff that Apple would not cover the cost of repair for her screen under warranty. Instead, they
14 claimed the Screen Defect resulted from accidental damage, thereby voiding the warranty. Plaintiff
15 was further informed that Apple might cover the cost of repairs if more users reported the Screen
16 Defect, but that the $480.00 price point for repairs would stand until such a time.
17 21. In total, Plaintiff spent over six hours of her own time in research, travel, and
18 correspondence in an effort to have repairs for the Screen Defect covered by warranty.
19 22. Plaintiff Daniel Friend is a citizen of California residing in Fullerton, California.
20 23. On May 9, 2021, Plaintiff Friend purchased from Apple’s store a 2020 13.3” MacBook
21 Pro with an M1 chip for $1,338.06.
22 24. Prior to purchasing his Laptop, Plaintiff Friend read and relied upon Apple’s marketing
23 and sales materials on the Apple Online Store concerning its durability and functionality.
24 25. On August 21, 2021, during the course of ordinary usage, his device’s display screen
25 began to exhibit horizontal lines. The next day, on August 22, 2021, cracks formed on the right side of
26 the screen when Plaintiff Friend opened the laptop.
27 26. On August 24, 2021, Plaintiff Friend sought warranty service from Apple. Apple’s
28 Genius Bar Authorization shows that an employee “[v]erified that there are horizontal and vertical

1 lines on the center and right side.” Plaintiff Friend’s repair, however, would not be covered under
2 warranty as the observed defects were deemed the result of accidental damage. He was quoted a repair
3 cost of $578.00.
4 27. On August 25, 2021, Plaintiff Friend received confirmation from Apple that his laptop
5 had reached Apple’s repair center. The repair report sent to him on August 26, 2021, stated that the
6 display assembly had been replaced and that the repair was not covered under Apple’s one-year
7 limited warranty, the AppleCare extended service agreement, or the Apple repair extension program.
8 In total, Plaintiff Friend’s cost for the repair was $615.00.
9 28. Defendant Apple, Inc. is a California corporation with its principal place of business at
10 One Infinite Loop, Cupertino, California.
11 29. Apple designs, manufactures, markets, advertises, sells, distributes, and warrants
12 laptops, other personal computing products, smartphones, and accessories.
13 JURISDICTION AND VENUE
14 30. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to the Class Action Fairness Act, 28
15 U.S.C. §1332(d), because at least two thirds of the Class Members are citizens of states different from
16 the Defendant’s; more than 100 Class Members exist; and the amount in controversy for the Class
17 exceeds $5,000,000.
18 31. This Court has jurisdiction over this action because Defendant is headquartered in
19 California within the boundaries of this judicial district; has consented to jurisdiction by registering to
20 conduct business in the state; maintains sufficient minimum contacts in California; and otherwise
21 intentionally avails itself of the California markets through promotion, sale, marketing and distribution
22 of the Class Laptops in and from the state, which renders the exercise of jurisdiction by this Court
23 proper and necessary as Apple is “at home” in California.
24 32. Venue is proper in this District, under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), because a substantial part of
25 the events or omissions giving rise to the claims of at least one Plaintiff occurred in this District.
26 33. Plaintiffs’ venue declarations pursuant to Cal. Civ. Code § 1780(d) is attached hereto as
27 Exhibit A.
28 COMMON FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

1 34. Defendant has been designing and manufacturing computing devices since 1983. As of
2 July 2021, Defendant’s devices comprise approximately eight per cent of the United States market for
3 personal computers. Ben Lovejoy, Excluding Chromebooks makes Mac market share 8.5%, says
4 Gartner, 9to5Mac.com (Jul. 13, 2021), available at https://9to5mac.com/2021/07/13/mac-market-
5 share-q2-2021/ (last accessed Sep. 11, 2021).
6 35. Defendant first announced the Macbook Pro and Macbook Air lines in January 2006 and
7 January 2008, respectively. On November 10, 2020, Apple announced it would be releasing an
8 updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro containing Apple-designed M1 processors, the first Macs
9 with Apple's new line of custom processors. Apple Announces New 13-inch MacBook Pro With M1
10 Chip, Starting at $1,299, MacRumors.com (Nov. 10, 2021), available at
11 https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/10/new-13-inch-macbook-pro-apple-silicon-unveild/ (last
12 accessed Sep. 11, 2021). The Class Laptops were made available for purchase on November 17, 2020.
13 36. As shown in detail below, soon after release purchasers began to complain about the
14 Screen Defect.
15 37. The Class Laptops are designed and manufactured with an inherent defect that
16 compromises the display. Plaintiffs are informed and believe that because of the Screen Defect, the
17 screens are predisposed to recurrently malfunction through no fault of the user, under conditions that
18 would not cause a non-defective display screen to malfunction, requiring the Class Laptop owner to
19 pay for repeated temporary “fixes,” including replacements of the display screen.
20 38. According to Plaintiffs and accounts from other Class Laptop owners who have
21 experienced the Screen Defect, the display problems often occur while the computer is closed and may
22 be exacerbated when the display is opened or moved.
23 39. When the Screen Defect manifests, horizontal or vertical bars appear across the display
24 screen, obstructing the owner’s view. Additionally, the Screen Defect causes the display screens to be
25 prone to cracking for no apparent reason during ordinary usage, potentially due to inflexibility in the
26 LCD panel or the diminished size of the screen bezel and the resulting reduction in distance between
27 the screen and the keyboard and body when closed. When these issues manifest, use of the computer
28 is, at best, difficult, and often impossible, as the user cannot see their own input or the computer’s

1 visual output. Because the Screen Defect impairs the user’s visual interface to the machine, it renders
2 the device partially or wholly unusable.
3 Apple’s Exclusive and Early Knowledge of the Screen Defect
4 i. Apple’s Knowledge of the Screen Defect from Repair Data.
5 40. Defendant knew or should have known about the Screen Defect because of the large
6 number of complaints it has received and display screen replacements it has made.
7 41. Apple, like other hardware companies, collects, reviews, and analyzes detailed
8 information about repairs made on Class Laptops still under warranty at its retail locations, repair
9 centers, and third-party service centers, including the type and frequency of such repairs. Complete
10 data on such repairs is exclusively within Apple’s control and unavailable to Plaintiffs without
11 discovery.
12 ii. Apple’s Knowledge of the Screen Defect from Complaints Posted Online
13 42. In addition, Defendant knew or should have known about the Screen Defect because of
14 the large number of comments and posts made online about the Screen Defect.
15 43. The Screen Defect has impacted many purchasers of the Class Laptops, and many of
16 those people have described the impact of the Screen Defect in online forums, including on Apple’s
17 own website. For example, many Class Laptop owners have spoken out about the Screen Defect on the
18 popular message board Reddit. In one thread, entitled “Opened a new m1 13” macbook, LCD is
19 cracked what the hell happened?,” see Reddit.com, available at
20 https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/k21azb/opened_new_m1_13_macbook_lcd_is_cracked
21 _what_the/ (last accessed Sep. 11, 2021), various Class Laptop owners posted the messages below:
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44. The immediately preceding post links to a comment thread created in July 2021 and
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entitled “MacBook Air M1 screen crack for no apparent reason” in Apple’s discussion forums, which
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is hosted on Defendant’s website and on information and belief is moderated and overseen by
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Defendant’s employees and/or agents. See Apple.com, available at
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1 https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252794122?answerId=255634544022&page=1 (last accessed

2 Sep. 11, 2021). Below are messages posted by various Class Laptop owners in that thread:
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45. Previous to the creation of the above thread, another user created a similar thread on
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Apple’s discussion forums entitled “M1 MacBook LCD Crack.” See Apple.com, available at
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https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252682054?page=1 (last accessed Sep. 11, 2021). Below are
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messages posted in that thread by owners of Class Laptops:
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46. Owners of the Class Laptops have received conflicting explanations from Defendant on
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the nature of the Screen Defect and whether the damage resulting therefrom will be repaired at no cost
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to the owners. As described in the comments above, Defendant told many Class Laptop owners that
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they had caused the screen damage and Apple refused to repair the damage at its own cost. In other
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cases, as shown in the posts excerpted below, Defendant has repaired the damaged display screen
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under warranty . See Apple.com, available at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252682054?page=2
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(last accessed Sep. 11, 2021); Reddit.com, available at
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https://www.reddit.com/r/macbook/comments/l1odym/2_week_old_macbook_air_m1_2020_tiny_crac
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24 Apple’s One-Year Warranty
25 47. Apple sold the Class Laptops with a one-year written express warranty, which covers
26 defects in materials and workmanship.
27 48. Apple expressly distinguishes device defects, which are covered by its warranty, from
28 the following, which are not: (a) consumable parts; (b) cosmetic damage; (c) damage caused by use

1 with another product; (d) damage from accident, misuse, abuse, liquid contact, or other external
2 causes; (e) damage from operating the Apple product outside its published guidelines; (f) damage from
3 unauthorized service or repairs; (g) damage to Apple products modified without Apple’s written
4 permission; (h) defects caused by normal wear and tear; and (i) products with the serial number
5 removed. Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty, Apple.com, available at
6 https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/embedded-mac-warranty-us.html (last accessed Sep.
7 12, 2021).
8 49. Apple expressly warranted the Class Laptops in writing and promised to “(i) repair the
9 Apple Product using new or previously used parts that are equivalent to new in performance and
10 reliability, (ii) replace the Apple Product with a product that is at least functionally equivalent to the
11 Apple Product and is formed from new and/or previously used parts that are equivalent to new in
12 performance and reliability, or (iii) exchange the Apple Product for a refund of your purchase price.”
13 Id.
14 50. Apple provides this warranty to buyers after the purchase of a Class Laptop is
15 completed.
16 Apple’s Marketing and Concealment of the Screen Defect
17 51. Apple charges a premium for its laptops, which it justifies, in large part, on the basis of
18 premium features, durability, and reliability.
19 52. Defendant’s marketing materials boast of the Class Laptops’ purportedly superior
20 “Retina display.” Defendant touts the “better picture” offered by the “brilliant Retina display” on the
21 Macbook Pro 13” Class Laptop, Apple.com, available at https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-13/
22 (last accessed September 11, 2021), and the “new levels of detail and realism” and “Lifelike colors” of
23 the Retina display on the Macbook Air Class Laptop, Apple.com, available at
24 https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/ (last accessed September 11, 2021). Defendant also highlights
25 the small-bezel design of the Macbook Air screen, stating: “the display glass goes right to the edge of
26 the enclosure, so nothing takes away from your gorgeous view.” Apple.com, available at
27 https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/ (last accessed September 11, 2021).
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1 53. Defendant’s marketing of the Class Laptops also promised superior durability,
2 proclaiming that both models are “Designed to last,” explaining that “To maximize durability, we
3 assessed the [Class Laptops] in our Reliability Testing Lab, using rigorous testing methods that
4 simulate customers’ experiences” and “our products go through rigorous testing before they leave our
5 doors.” 13-Inch Macbook Air Product Environmental Report, Apple.com, available at
7 inch_MacBookAir_PER_Nov2020.pdf (last accessed Sep. 11, 2021); 13-Inch Macbook Pro Product
8 Environmental Report, Apple.com, available at
10 inch_MacBookPro_PER_Nov2020.pdf (last accessed Sep. 11, 2021). Defendant’s marketing materials
11 for the thin and lightweight Macbook Air extol its superior materials and durability. Per its product
12 webpage, the device is “Thin and Light. Yet rock solid,” and its “sturdy aluminum unibody design
13 makes MacBook Air sleek, durable, and ready for anything.” M1 Macbook Air Product Page,
14 Apple.com (Nov. 10, 2020), available at https://www.apple.com/lae/macbookair/index.html (last
15 accessed Sep. 11, 2021).
16 54. On information and belief, Apple’s in-store sales staff are trained, through store
17 meetings and role-playing exercises, to justify the high cost of Apple laptops to consumers on the basis
18 that the laptops will last on average for between five to seven years.
19 FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT ALLEGATIONS
20 55. Absent discovery, Plaintiffs are unaware of, and unable through reasonable investigation
21 to obtain, the true names and identities of those individuals at Apple responsible for disseminating
22 false and misleading marketing materials regarding the Class Laptops. Apple necessarily is in
23 possession of all of this information. Plaintiffs’ claims arise out of Apple’s fraudulent concealment
24 of the Screen Defect and the failures and malfunctions it causes, and Defendant’s representations
25 about the premium quality, reliability, and durability of the Class Laptops’ display screens. To the
26 extent that Plaintiffs’ claims arise from Apple’s fraudulent concealment, there is no one document or
27 communication, and no one interaction, upon which Plaintiffs base their claims.
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1 56. Plaintiffs allege that at all relevant times, including specifically at the times they
2 purchased their respective Class Laptops, Apple knew, or was reckless in not knowing, of the Screen
3 Defect; Apple was under a duty to disclose the Screen Defect based upon its exclusive knowledge of
4 it, and its concealment of it; and Apple never disclosed the Screen Defect to Plaintiffs or the public at
5 any time or place or in any manner.
6 57. Plaintiffs makes the following specific fraud allegations with as much specificity as
7 possible absent access to the information necessarily available only to Apple:
8 58. Who: Apple actively concealed the Screen Defect from Plaintiffs and Class Members
9 while simultaneously touting the durability of the Class Laptops, as alleged above. Plaintiffs are
10 unaware of, and therefore unable to identify, the true names and identities of those specific individuals
11 at Apple responsible for such decisions.
12 59. What: Apple knew, or was negligent or reckless in not knowing, that the Class Laptops
13 contain the Screen Defect, as alleged above. Apple concealed the Defect and made representations
14 about the premium quality, reliability, and durability, and other attributes of the Class Laptops, as
15 specified above.
16 60. When: Apple concealed material information regarding the Screen Defect at all relevant
17 times and made representations about the world-class quality, durability, of the Class Laptops, starting
18 no later than November 2020, or at the subsequent introduction of certain models of Class Laptops to
19 the market, continuing through the time of sale, and on an ongoing basis, and continuing to this day, as
20 alleged above. Apple still has not disclosed the truth about the Screen Defect in the Class Laptops to
21 anyone outside of Apple. Defendant has never taken any action to inform consumers at large about the
22 true nature of the Screen Defect in the Class Laptops. And when consumers brought their Class
23 Laptops to Apple complaining of the Screen Defect, Apple denied any knowledge of or responsibility
24 for the Screen Defect, and in many instances (as detailed above), actually blamed the customer for
25 causing the Screen Defect.
26 61. Where: Apple concealed material information regarding the true nature of the Screen
27 Defect in every communication it had with Plaintiffs and Class Members and made representations
28 about the premium quality, reliability, and durability of the Class Laptops. Plaintiffs are aware of no

1 document, communication, or other place or thing, in which Apple disclosed the truth about the Screen
2 Defect in the Class Laptops to anyone outside of Apple. Such information is not adequately disclosed
3 in any sales documents, displays, advertisements, warranties, owner’s manuals, or on Apple’s website.
4 62. How: Apple concealed the Screen Defect from Plaintiff and Class Members and made
5 representations about the premium quality, reliability, and durability of the Class Laptops. Apple
6 actively concealed the truth about the existence and nature of the Screen Defect from Plaintiff and
7 Class Members at all times, even though it knew about the Screen Defect and knew that information
8 about the Screen Defect would be important to a reasonable consumer. Apple promised in its
9 marketing materials that Class Laptops have qualities that they do not have.
10 63. Why: Apple actively concealed material information about the Screen Defect in the
11 Class Laptops for the purpose of inducing Plaintiff and Class Members to purchase and/or lease Class
12 Laptops, rather than purchasing or leasing competitors’ laptops and made representations about the
13 premium quality, reliability, and durability of the Class Laptops. Had Apple disclosed the truth, for
14 example in its advertisements or other materials or communications, Plaintiff and Class Members (all
15 reasonable consumers) would have been aware of it, and would not have bought or leased the Class
16 Laptops or would have paid less for them.
17 CLASS ALLEGATIONS
18 64. Plaintiff brings this lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all similarly situated individuals
19 and entities, pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The proposed Class and
20 Subclass (together, the “Classes”) are defined as follows:
21 Nationwide Class
All persons who purchased a Class Laptop in the United States.
22
California Subclass
23 All persons who purchased a Class Laptop in California.
24 65. Excluded from the Classes are Defendant, its affiliates, and its current and former
25 employees, officers and directors. Plaintiff reserves the right to modify, change, or expand the
26 definitions of the Class and Subclass based upon discovery and further investigation.
27 66. Numerosity: The Classes are so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable.
28 At least hundreds of thousands of Class Members have been subjected to Defendant’s conduct in each

1 state. The class is ascertainable by reference to records in the possession of Apple and its retail
2 locations.
3 67. Predominance: Common questions of law and fact exist as to all members of the
4 Classes. These questions predominate over questions affecting individual members of the Classes and
5 include:
6 a.) Whether the Class Laptop screens possess a design defect;
7 b.) Whether the Class Laptop screens possess a manufacturing defect;
8 c.) Whether the Class Laptop screens were defective at the point of sale;
9 d.) Whether the Screen Defect substantially reduces the value of the Class Laptops;
10 e.) Whether Defendant knew of the Screen Defect but failed to disclose it to consumers;
11 f.) Whether and when Defendant knew that the Class Laptop screens have a propensity
12 to suffer from mechanical failures during normal and expected use conditions,
13 rendering them functionally unusable;
14 g.) Whether a reasonable consumer would consider the Screen Defect to be material;
15 h.) Whether Defendant’s conduct was unlawful;
16 i.) Whether Defendant acted negligently, recklessly, and/or with intent to deceive;
17 j.) Whether Plaintiff and Class Members overpaid for their Class Laptops as a result of
18 the Screen Defect;
19 k.) Whether Plaintiff and Class Members are entitled to damages and other monetary
20 relief, and, if so, in what amount; and
21 l.) Whether Plaintiff and Class Members are entitled to equitable relief, including
22 restitution or injunctive relief.
23 68. Typicality: Plaintiff’s claims are typical of the claims of the members of the Classes, as
24 all such claims arise out of Defendant’s conduct in designing, manufacturing, marketing, advertising,
25 and selling the Class Laptops. All of Plaintiff’s claims are typical of the claims of the Class since
26 Plaintiff and all Class members were injured in the same manner by Defendant’s uniform course of
27 conduct described herein. Plaintiff and all Class members have the same claims against Defendant
28 relating to the conduct alleged herein, and the same events giving rise to Plaintiff’s claims for relief are

1 identical to those giving rise to the claims of all Class members. Plaintiff and all Class members
2 sustained economic injuries including, but not limited to, ascertainable losses arising out of
3 Defendant’s course of conduct as described herein. Plaintiffs are advancing the same claims and legal
4 theories on behalf of themselves and all absent Class members.
5 69. Adequacy: Plaintiffs will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the members of
6 the Classes and have no interests antagonistic to those of the Classes. Plaintiffs have retained counsel
7 experienced in the prosecution of complex class actions including, but not limited to, consumer class
8 actions involving, inter alia, breach of warranties, product liability, product design defects, and state
9 consumer fraud statutes.
10 70. Superiority: A class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and
11 efficient adjudication of this controversy, since individual joinder of all members of the Classes is
12 impracticable, and the amount at issue for each Class member would not justify the cost of litigating
13 individual claims. Should individual Class Members be required to bring separate actions, this Court
14 would be confronted with a multiplicity of lawsuits burdening the court system while also creating the
15 risk of inconsistent rulings and contradictory judgments. In contrast to proceeding on a case-by-case
16 basis, in which inconsistent results will magnify the delay and expense to all parties and the court
17 system, this class action presents far fewer management difficulties while providing unitary
18 adjudication, economies of scale and comprehensive supervision by a single court.
19 71. Manageability: Plaintiffs are unaware of any difficulties that are likely to be encountered
20 in the management of this action that would preclude its maintenance as a class action.
21 FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
22 (Violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act,
Cal. Civ. Code § 1750, et seq.)
23
72. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference each allegation set forth in the preceding paragraphs.
24
73. Plaintiffs bring this claim on behalf of themselves and the California Subclass.
25
74. The Class Laptops are “goods” as defined in Cal. Civ. Code § 1761(a).
26
75. Plaintiff and California Subclass members are “consumers” as defined in Cal. Civ. Code
27
§ 1761(d).
28

1 76. Defendant is a “person” as defined in Cal. Civ. Code § 1761©.

2 77. The purchases by Plaintiff and California Class members are “transactions” as defined
3 by Cal. Civ. Code § 1761(e).
4 78. Defendant’s conduct, as described herein, was and is in violation of the CLRA.
5 Defendant’s conduct violates at least the following enumerated CLRA provisions:
6 a. § 1770(a)(4): Using deceptive representations in connection with goods;
7 b. § 1770(a)(5): Representing that goods have sponsorship, approval,
8 characteristics, uses, benefits, or quantities which they do not have;  
9 c. § 1770(a)(7): Representing that goods are of a particular standard, quality, or
10 grade, if they are of another; and 
11 d. § 1770(a)(9): Advertising goods with intent not to sell them as advertised.  
12 79. Specifically, Defendant’s actions led consumers to reasonably believe that the Class
13 Laptops would be usable to perform basic computing functions including word processing, accessing
14 the internet, and composing emails, but because of the Screen Defect, the Class Laptops cannot be so
15 used. Additionally, Defendant represented that the Class Laptops are of premium quality, reliability,
16 and durability, when they are in fact extremely fragile and prone to failure that catastrophically impairs
17 their usability.
18 80. Plaintiff and California Subclass members have suffered injury in fact and actual
19 damages resulting from Defendant’s material omissions and misrepresentations because, inter alia,
20 they lost money when they purchased their laptops, paid an inflated purchase price for the Class
21 Laptops, or paid money for repairs and/or extended warranty service.
22 81. Defendant knew, should have known, or was reckless in not knowing that the Screen
23 Defect in the Class Laptops rendered them not suitable for their intended uses.
24 82. Defendant had a duty to disclose the Screen Defect because Apple had exclusive
25 knowledge of the defects prior to making sales of the Class Laptops and because Defendant made
26 partial representations about the quality, performance, and reliability of the Class Laptops but failed to
27 disclose the Screen Defect.
28

1 83. Defendant further breached its duty to disclose the Screen Defect by attempting to
2 conceal the Screen Defect with denials of responsibility, shifting the blame to owners of the Class
3 Laptops, and implementing fixes that are known to be ineffective.
4 84. Defendant falsely represented that its Class Laptops were durable and suitable for
5 professional use.
6 85. These representations were false and misleading because the Screen Defect cause the
7 screens to fail to display output under normal use conditions, rendering the Class Laptops unusable
8 well within the useful lifespan of the Class Laptops. Apple was aware the screens suffered from the
9 Screen Defect and that the Class Laptops did not perform as advertised.
10 86. The facts Apple concealed and omitted—that the Class Laptops are defective and fail
11 prematurely—are material in that a reasonable consumer would have considered them to be important
12 in deciding whether to purchase the laptops or pay a lower price. Had Plaintiff and California Subclass
13 members known about the defective nature of the laptops, they would not have purchased them or
14 purchased them at a much lower price. As a result of Defendant’s misconduct, Plaintiff and those
15 similarly situated were harmed in the amount of the price premium they paid (i.e., the difference
16 between the price consumers paid for the Class Laptops and the price they would have paid but for
17 Defendant’s misrepresentations), in an amount to be proven at trial using econometric or statistical
18 techniques such as hedonic regression or conjoint analysis.
19 87. CLRA § 1782 NOTICE. Irrespective of any representations to the contrary in this Class
20 Action Complaint, Plaintiff specifically disclaims, at this time, any request for damages under any
21 provision of the CLRA. Plaintiff, however, hereby provides Defendant with notice and demand that
22 within thirty (30) days from on or around August 30, 2021, Defendant correct, repair, replace or
23 otherwise rectify the unlawful, unfair, false and/or deceptive practices complained of herein.
24 Defendant’s failure to do so will result in Plaintiff amending this Class Action Complaint to seek,
25 pursuant to California Civil Code § 1780(a)(3), on behalf of themselves and those similarly situated
26 members of the California Subclass, compensatory damages, punitive damages and restitution of any
27 ill-gotten gains due to Defendant’s acts and practices.
28

1 88. Plaintiff further seeks an order awarding costs of court and attorneys’ fees pursuant to
2 Cal. Civ. Code § 1780(e).
3 SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
(Violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law,
4 Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq.)
5 89. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference each allegation set forth in the preceding paragraphs.
6 90. Plaintiffs bring this claim on behalf of themselves and the California Subclass.
7 91. California Business & Professions Code § 17200 prohibits acts of “unfair competition,”
8 including any “unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business act or practice” and “unfair, deceptive, untrue
9 or misleading advertising.” Apple engaged in conduct that violated each of this statute’s three prongs.
10 92. Apple committed unlawful business acts or practices in violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof.
11 Code § 17200, et seq., by systematically breaching its warranty obligations and by violating the
12 CLRA, the False Advertising Law, and the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act as alleged above
13 and below.
14 93. Apple committed unfair business acts and practices in violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof.
15 Code § 17200, et seq., because the acts and practices described herein, including but not limited to
16 Apple’s failure to provide a permanent remedy to fix the Screen Defect, were immoral, unethical,
17 oppressive, unscrupulous, unconscionable, and/or substantially injurious to Plaintiffs and California
18 Subclass Members. Apple’s acts and practices were additionally unfair because the harm to Plaintiffs
19 and Class Members is substantial and is not outweighed by any countervailing benefits to consumers
20 or competition. Further, Apple’s acts and practices were unfair in that they were contrary to
21 legislatively declared or public policy.
22 94. Apple committed fraudulent business acts and practices in violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof.
23 Code § 17200, et seq., when it concealed the existence and nature of the Screen Defect, while
24 representing in its marketing, advertising, and other broadly disseminated representations that the
25 Class Laptops were, inter alia, of premium quality, reliability, and durability, when, in fact, they were
26 not. Apple’s representations and active concealment of the Screen Defect are likely to mislead the
27 public with regard to the true defective nature of the Class Laptops.
28

1 95. Apple’s unfair or deceptive acts or practices occurred repeatedly in the course of
2 Apple’s trade or business and were likely to mislead a substantial portion of the purchasing public.
3 96. Plaintiffs relied on Apple’s material misrepresentations and nondisclosures, and would
4 not have purchased/leased, or would have paid less for, the Class Laptops had they known the truth.
5 97. As a direct and proximate result of Apple’s unfair, unlawful, and deceptive practices,
6 Plaintiffs have lost money.
7 98. Plaintiffs lack an adequate remedy in the absence of equitable remedies under the UCL
8 including because money damages would only compensate Plaintiffs and class members for their past
9 purchases but would not provide an adequate remedy to prevent future harm.
10 99. Plaintiffs and Class Members seek an order enjoining Apple from committing such
11 unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business practices, and seek restitution pursuant to Cal. Bus. & Prof.
12 Code § 17203.
13 THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
(Violations of California’s False Advertising Law,
14 Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17500, et seq.)
17 102. Beginning at an exact date unknown to Plaintiffs, but within three (3) years preceding
18 the filing of the Class Action Complaint, Defendant has made untrue, false, deceptive and/or
19 misleading statements in connection with the advertising and marketing of the Class Laptops.
20 103. Plaintiffs and those similarly situated relied to their detriment on Defendant’s false,
21 misleading and deceptive advertising and marketing practices. Had Plaintiffs and those similarly
22 situated been adequately informed and not intentionally deceived by Defendant, they would have acted
23 differently by, without limitation, paying less for the Class Laptops.
24 104. Defendant’s acts and omissions are likely to deceive the general public.
25 105. Defendant engaged in these false, misleading and deceptive advertising and marketing
26 practices to increase its profits. Accordingly, Defendant has engaged in false advertising, as defined
27 and prohibited by section 17500, et seq. of the California Business and Professions Code.
28

1 106. The aforementioned practices, which Defendant has used, and continues to use, to its
2 significant financial gain, also constitute unlawful competition and provide an unlawful advantage
3 over Defendant’s competitors as well as injury to the general public.
4 107. Plaintiffs seek, on behalf of those similarly situated, full restitution of monies, as
5 necessary and according to proof, to restore any and all monies acquired by Defendant from Plaintiffs,
6 the general public, or those similarly situated by means of the false, misleading and deceptive
7 advertising and marketing practices complained of herein, plus interest thereon.
8 108. Plaintiffs seek, on behalf of those similarly situated, an injunction to prohibit Defendant
9 from continuing to engage in the false, misleading and deceptive advertising and marketing practices
10 complained of herein. The acts complained of herein occurred, at least in part, within three (3) years
11 preceding the filing of this Class Action Complaint.
12 109. Plaintiffs and California Subclass Members are further entitled to and do seek both a
13 declaration that the above-described practices constitute false, misleading and deceptive advertising,
14 and injunctive relief restraining Defendant from engaging in any such advertising and marketing
15 practices in the future. Such misconduct by Defendant, unless and until enjoined and restrained by
16 order of this Court, will continue to cause injury in fact to the general public and the loss of money and
17 property in that Defendant will continue to violate the laws of California, unless specifically ordered to
18 comply with the same. This expectation of future violations will require current and future customers
19 to repeatedly and continuously seek legal redress in order to recover monies paid to Defendant to
20 which Defendant is not entitled. Plaintiffs, the California Subclass, and/or other consumers nationwide
21 have no other adequate remedy at law to ensure future compliance with the California Business and
22 Professions Code alleged to have been violated herein.
23 110. As a direct and proximate result of such actions, Defendant and the other members of
24 the California Class have suffered, and continue to suffer, injury in fact and have lost money and/or
25 property as a result of such false, deceptive and misleading advertising in the amount of the price
26 premium they paid (i.e., the difference between the price consumers paid for the Class Laptops and the
27 price they would have paid but for Defendant’s misrepresentations), which shall be proven at trial
28

1 using econometric or statistical techniques such as hedonic regression or conjoint analysis. This
2 amount is more than the jurisdictional minimum of this Court.
3 FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Express Warranty under the
4 Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act)
7 113. The Class Laptops are “consumer goods” under Cal. Civ. Code § 1791(a).
8 114. Plaintiffs and California Subclass Members are “buyers” under Cal. Civ. Code §
9 1791(b).
10 115. Apple is and was at all relevant times a “manufacturer” and seller of the Class Laptops
11 under Cal. Civ. Code § 1791(j).
12 116. Plaintiffs and California Subclass Members bought Class Laptops designed,
13 manufactured, warranted, marketed to them, and intended to be purchased by consumers such as them,
14 by Apple.
15 117. Apple expressly warranted the Class Laptops against defects including the Screen
16 Defect, as described above, within the meaning of Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1791.2 and 1793.2.
17 118. As described above, the display screen in the Class Laptops is defective. The Screen
18 Defect substantially impairs the use, value, and durability of the Class Laptops to reasonable
19 consumers, including Plaintiffs and Class Members.
20 119. Apple knew of the Screen Defect when it expressly warranted the Class Laptops,
21 wrongfully and fraudulently concealed material facts regarding the Screen Defect, failed to inform
22 Class Members that the Class Laptops had defective Screens, and induced Plaintiffs and Class
23 Members to purchase the Class Laptops under false or fraudulent pretenses.
24 120. Apple is obligated, under the terms of its express warranties, and pursuant to Cal. Civ.
25 Code §§ 1793.2 and 1795.4, to repair or replace the defective Screens in the Class Laptops at no cost
26 to Plaintiff and California Subclass Members.
27 121. Apple breached its express warranties by supplying the Class Laptops to Plaintiff and
28 California Subclass Members with the Screen Defect, by failing to repair the Class Laptops under

1 warranty, and by failing to provide to Plaintiff or California Subclass Members, as a warranty

2 replacement, a product that conforms to the qualities and characteristics that it promised when it sold
3 the Class Laptops to Plaintiff and California Subclass Members.
4 122. As more fully detailed above, Apple was provided with appropriate notice and has been
5 on notice of the Screen Defect and of its breach of its express written warranties from various sources,
6 including Plaintiffs.
7 123. Plaintiffs have given Apple a reasonable opportunity to cure its failures with respect to
8 its warranties, and Apple has failed to do so.
9 124. Affording Apple any further opportunity to cure its breach of written warranties is
10 unnecessary and futile here.
11 125. Any express warranties promising to repair and/or correct any defects fail in their
12 essential purposes because the contractual remedy is insufficient to make Plaintiffs and California
13 Subclass Members whole and because Apple has failed or has refused to adequately provide the
14 promised remedies within a reasonable time.
15 126. Accordingly, recovery by Plaintiffs and California Subclass Members is not restricted to
16 any written warranties promising to repair and/or correct defects, and they seek all remedies as
17 allowed by law.
18 127. Any attempt by Apple to limit or disclaim the express warranties in a manner that
19 would exclude coverage of the Screen Defect is unenforceable and void pursuant to Cal. Civ. Code §
20 1790.1.
21 128. As a direct and proximate result of Apple’s breach of its express warranties, Plaintiffs
22 and Class Members received goods that have substantially impaired value and have suffered damages
23 in an amount to be determined at trial.
24 129. Pursuant to Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1794 and 1795.4, Plaintiffs and Class Members are
25 entitled to incidental, consequential, and other damages and other legal and equitable relief, as well as
26 costs and attorneys’ fees.
27 FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Express Warranty)
28

2 131. Plaintiffs bring this claim on behalf of themselves and the Nationwide Class.
3 132. The Class Laptops are and were at all relevant times “goods” within the meaning of,
4 inter alia, Cal. Com. Code §§ 2105(1) and 10103(a)(8).
5 133. Apple is and was at all relevant times a “merchant” with respect to the Class Laptops,
6 under, inter alia, Cal. Com. Code §§ 2104(1) and 10103(c), and a “seller” of the Class Laptops, under
7 § 2103(1)(d).
8 134. Plaintiffs and Class Members are “buyers” within the meaning of, inter alia, Cal. Com.
9 Code §§ 2103(a) and 10103(a)(14).
10 135. Plaintiffs and Class Members bought Class Laptops designed, manufactured, warranted,
11 marketed to them, and intended to be purchased or leased by consumers such as them, by Apple.
12 136. Apple expressly warranted the Class Laptops against defects, including the Screen
13 Defect, within the meaning of, inter alia, Cal. Com. Code §§ 2313, 2316, 10210, and 10214.
14 137. As described above, the display screen in the Class Laptops is defective. The Screen
15 Defect substantially impairs the use, value, and durability of the Class Laptops to reasonable
16 consumers, including Plaintiffs and Class Members.
17 138. Apple knew of the Screen Defect when it expressly warranted the Class Laptops,
18 wrongfully and fraudulently concealed material facts regarding the Screen Defect, failed to inform
19 Class Members that the Class Laptops had the Screen Defect, and induced Plaintiffs and Class
20 Members to purchase or lease the Class Laptops under false and/or fraudulent pretenses.
21 139. Apple is obligated, under the terms of its express warranties, to repair and/or replace the
22 screens for Plaintiffs and Class Members.
23 140. Apple breached its express warranties by supplying the Class Laptops to Plaintiffs and
24 Class Members with the Screen Defect.
25 141. Apple further breached its express warranties by failing to repair the Class Laptops and
26 by failing to provide to Plaintiffs or Class Members, as a warranty replacement, a product that
27 conforms to the qualities and characteristics that it promised when it sold the Class Laptops to
28 Plaintiffs and Class Members.

1 142. As more fully detailed above, Apple was provided with appropriate notice and has been
2 on notice of the Screen Defect and of its breach of express written warranties from various sources,
3 including Plaintiffs.
4 143. Plaintiffs have given Apple a reasonable opportunity to cure its failures with respect to
5 its warranties, and Apple has failed to do so.
6 144. Affording Apple any further opportunity to cure their breach of written warranties is
7 unnecessary and futile here.
8 145. Any express warranties promising to repair and/or correct any defects fail in their
9 essential purposes because the contractual remedy is insufficient to make Class Members whole and
10 because Apple has failed and/or have refused to adequately provide the promised remedies within a
11 reasonable time.
12 146. Accordingly, recovery by the Class Members is not restricted to any written warranties
13 promising to repair and/or correct defects, and they seek all remedies as allowed by law.
14 147. In its capacity as a warrantor, and by the conduct described herein, any attempt by Apple
15 to limit or disclaim the express warranties in a manner that would exclude coverage of the Screen
16 Defect is unconscionable as a matter of law because the relevant purchase transactions were tainted by
17 Apple’s concealment of material facts. Thus, any effort by Apple to disclaim, or otherwise limit, its
18 liability for the Screen Defect is null and void.
19 148. As a direct and proximate result of Apple’s breach of express warranties, Plaintiffs and
20 Class Members received goods that have substantially impaired value and have suffered damages in an
21 amount to be determined at trial.
22 149. Plaintiffs and Class Members are entitled to incidental, consequential, and other
23 damages and other legal and equitable relief, as well as costs and attorneys’ fees.
24 SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Express Warranty – Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act)
25
26
151. Plaintiffs bring this claim on behalf of themselves and the Nationwide Class.
27
152. The Class Laptops are “consumer products” as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2301(1).
28

1 153. Plaintiffs and Class Members are “consumers” as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2301(3).
2 154. Apple is a “supplier” and “warrantor” as defined in 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301(4) and (5).
3 155. Apple provided Plaintiffs and Class Members with “written warranties” within the
4 meaning of 15 U.S.C. § 2301(6).
5 156. Apple has breached its express warranties by refusing to honor the express warranty to
6 replace or repair, free of charge, any defective vehicle component, including the Screen Defect.
7 157. At the time Class Laptops were sold, Apple knew that they possessed the Screen Defect
8 and offered an express warranty with no intention of honoring said warranty with respect to the known
9 Screen Defect.
10 158. Additionally, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 2304(d)(1), “the warrantor may not assess the
11 consumer for any costs the warrantor or his representatives incur in connection with the required
12 remedy of a warranted product . . . [I]f any incidental expenses are incurred because the remedy is not
13 made within a reasonable time or because the warrantor imposed an unreasonable duty upon the
14 consumer as a condition of securing remedy, then the consumer shall be entitled to recover reasonable
15 incidental expenses which are so incurred in any action against the warrantor.”
16 159. At no time has Apple offered a permanent or adequate repair or replacement of the
17 display screen that would permanently prevent manifestation of the Screen Defect. Despite repeated
18 demands by Plaintiffs and Class Members that Apple pay the costs and incidental expenses associated
19 with temporarily “fixing” the display screen, Apple has refused to do so. Apple’s refusal to provide a
20 permanent repair or replacement for the Screen Defect and to pay for the temporary “fixes” violates 15
21 U.S.C. § 2304(d)(1).
22 160. Apple was afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure its breach of the express warranty
23 but failed to do so.
24 161. Under 15 U.S.C. § 2310(e), notice of breach of warranty need not be provided until after
25 Plaintiffs has been appointed Class Representatives; nevertheless Apple had been notified, as alleged
26 above.
27 162. As a direct and proximate result of Apple’s breach of its express written warranties,
28 Plaintiffs and Class Members have been damaged in an amount to be proven at trial.

1 SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION

(Breach of Implied Warranty Under Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act)
2
3
164. Apple’s Class Laptops are “consumer goods” within the meaning of Cal. Civ. Code §
4
1791(a).
5
165. Apple is a “manufacturer” within the meaning of Cal. Civ. Code § 1791(j).
6
166. Plaintiffs and Class Members who purchased or leased their Class Laptops within the
7
State of California are “buyers” and “lessees” within the meaning of Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1791(b) and
8
(h).
9
167. Apple impliedly warranted to Plaintiffs and Class Members that its Class Laptops were
10
“merchantable” within the meaning of Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1791.1(a) and 1792.
11
168. Apple impliedly warranted to Plaintiffs and Class Members that it would repair or
12
replace any defective products, including the defective display screen that produces the Screen Defect.
13
169. The propensity of the Screen Defect to cause horizontal or vertical bars to appear across
14
the display screen and cracks to appear in the display screen for no apparent reason during ordinary
15
usage, renders the Class Laptops to not be of the quality that a buyer would reasonably expect, and
16
therefore not merchantable.
17
170. The Class Laptops do not conform to the promises or affirmations of fact made by Apple
18
in its promotional materials in that the Screen Defect creates a condition which is neither remediable
19
by the consumer nor the product of misuse by the consumer
20
171. In violation of Cal. Civ. Code § 1791.1(a), Apple breached its implied warranty by
21
selling/leasing Class Laptops that were defective and refusing to permanently replace and/or repair the
22
defective screens.
23
172. The Screen Defect has deprived Plaintiffs and Class Members of the benefit of their
24
bargain and has caused the Class Laptops to depreciate in value.
25
173. Any attempt by Apple to limit or disclaim the express warranties in a manner that would
26
exclude coverage of the Screen Defect is unenforceable and void pursuant to Cal. Civ. Code §§
27
1790.1, 1792.3, and 1793.
28

1 174. As a result of Apple’s breach of its implied warranties, Plaintiffs and Class Members
2 have been damaged in an amount to be proven at trial and are entitled to incidental, consequential, and
3 other damages and other legal and equitable relief, as well as costs and attorneys’ fees, pursuant to Cal.
4 Civ. Code §§ 1794 and 1795.4.
5 EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Implied Warranty)
6
7
176. The Class Laptops are and were at all relevant times “goods” within the meaning of,
8
inter alia, Cal. Com. Code §§ 2105(1) and 10103(a)(8).
9
177. Apple is and was at all relevant times a “merchant” with respect to the Class Laptops,
10
under, inter alia, Cal. Com. Code §§ 2104(1) and 10103(c), and a “seller” of the Class Laptops, under
11
§ 2103(1)(d); and, with respect to leases, is and was at all relevant times a “lessor” of the Class
12
Laptops, under, inter alia, Cal. Com. Code § 10103(a)(16).
13
178. Plaintiffs and Class Members are “buyers” or “lessees” within the meaning of, inter alia,
14
Cal. Com. Code §§ 2103(a) and 10103(a)(14).
15
179. When it sold or leased its Class Laptops, Apple extended an implied warranty to Class
16
Members that the subject Laptops were merchantable and fit for the ordinary purpose for which they
17
were sold or leased, pursuant to Cal. Com. Code §§ 2314, 10212, and 10214.
18
180. Plaintiffs and other Class Members who purchased a Class Laptop directly from Apple
19
are entitled to the benefit of their bargain: a Laptop with a defect-free display screen.
20
181. Apple breached this implied warranty in that its Class Laptops are (1) not fit for ordinary
21
use, and (2) not of a merchantable quality.
22
182. Had the Screen Defect that existed at the time of sale been known, the Class Laptops
23
could not have been sold, or could not have been sold at the same price.
24
183. As a direct and proximate result of Apple’s breach of the implied warranty of
25
merchantability, Plaintiffs and Class Members have been damaged in an amount to be proven at trial.
26
NINTH CAUSE OF ACTION
27 (Breach of Implied Warranty – Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act)

1 185. Plaintiffs and Class Members are “consumers” as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2301(3).
2 186. Defendant Apple is a “supplier” and “warrantor” as defined in 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301(4)
3 and (5).
4 187. The subject Class Laptops are “consumer products” as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2301(1).
5 188. Apple extended an implied warranty to Plaintiffs and Class Members by operation of 15
6 U.S.C. § 2301(7), and this implied warranty covers defects in its Class Laptops and its Class Laptops’
7 screens.
8 189. Apple breached this implied warranty by selling/leasing its Class Laptops with defective
9 screens that were neither merchantable nor fit for their intended purpose.
10 190. As a direct and proximate result of Apple’s breach of the implied warranty under the
11 Magnuson-Moss Act, Plaintiffs, and the Class, have been damaged in an amount to be proven at trial.
12
TENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
13 (Fraud by Concealment)
15 192. Plaintiffs bring this cause of action for themselves and on behalf of the Nationwide
16 Class.
17 193. Apple concealed and suppressed material facts concerning the quality of the Class
18 Laptops, and the screens in the Class Laptops.
19 194. Apple concealed and suppressed material facts concerning the serious Screen Defect
20 causing Class Laptops to manifest the Screen Defect. Upon information and belief, the Screen Defect
21 is latent and lies in the internal mechanisms of the Class Laptops’ Screens. Apple knew that Plaintiffs
22 and Class Members would not be able to inspect or otherwise detect the Screen Defect prior to
23 purchasing the Laptops. Apple furthered and relied upon this lack of disclosure to promote payments
24 for temporary “fixes”—all the while concealing the true nature of cause and Screen Defect from
25 Plaintiffs and Class Members.
26 195. Apple concealed and suppressed material facts that point to the nature of the Screen
27 Defect being a faulty screen design, and instead pushed temporary “fixes” like compressed air and
28 Screen replacements costing up to $700.

1 196. Apple did so in order to boost confidence in its Class Laptops and falsely assure
2 purchasers that the Class Laptops were durable, reliable, functional, and suitable for professional use,
3 and concealed the information in order to prevent harm to Apple and its products’ reputations in the
4 marketplace and to prevent consumers from learning of the defective nature of the Class Laptops prior
5 to their purchase or lease. These false representations and omissions were material to consumers, both
6 because they concerned the quality of the Class Laptops and because the representations and omissions
7 played a significant role in their decisions to purchase or lease the Class Laptops.
8 197. Apple had a duty to disclose the Screen Defect in the Class Laptops because it was
9 known and/or accessible only to Apple; Apple had superior knowledge and access to the facts; and
10 Apple knew the facts were not known to or reasonably discoverable by Plaintiffs and Class Members.
11 198. Apple also had a duty to disclose because it made many general affirmative
12 representations about the quality, warranty, and lack of defects in the Class Laptops as set forth above,
13 which were misleading, deceptive, and/or incomplete without the disclosure of the additional facts set
14 forth above regarding their actual quality, functionality, and durability. Even when faced with
15 complaints regarding the Screen Defect, Apple misled and concealed the true cause of the symptoms
16 complained of. As a result, Class Members were misled as to the true condition of the Class Laptops
17 once at the time of purchase and again when the Screen Defect was complained of to Apple. The
18 omitted and concealed facts were material because they directly impact the value, appeal, and usability
19 of the Class Laptops purchased by Plaintiffs and Class Members. Whether a manufacturer’s products
20 are as stated by the manufacturer, backed by the manufacturer, and usable for the purpose for which
21 they were purchased, are material concerns to a consumer.
22 199. Apple actively concealed and/or suppressed these material facts, in whole or in part, to
23 protect its reputation, sustain its marketing strategy, and avoid recalls that would affect the brand’s
24 image and cost money, and it did so at the expense of Plaintiffs and Class Members.
25 200. On information and belief, Apple has still not made full and adequate disclosure and
26 continues to mislead Plaintiffs and Class Members and conceal material information regarding defects
27 that exist in Apple Laptops.
28

1 201. Plaintiffs and Class Members were unaware of these omitted material facts and would
2 not have acted as they did if they had known of the concealed or suppressed facts, in that they would
3 not have purchased laptops designed and manufactured by Apple or chosen different models not
4 known to possess the Screen Defect. Plaintiffs and Class Members’ actions were justified. Apple was
5 in exclusive control of the material facts and such facts were not known to the public, Plaintiffs, or
6 Class Members.
7 202. Because of the concealment and/or suppression of the facts, Plaintiffs and Class
8 Members sustained damages because they paid value for the Class Laptops not aware of the Screen
9 Defect that Apple failed to disclose, and they paid for warranty extensions, temporary repairs, and
10 parts to attempt to remedy the Screen Defect. Had they been aware of the concealed Screen Defect that
11 existed in the Class Laptops, Plaintiffs and Class Members would have paid less for their laptops or
12 would not have purchased them at all.
13 203. Accordingly, Apple is liable to Plaintiffs and Class Members for damages in an amount
14 to be proven at trial.
15 204. Apple’s acts were done maliciously, oppressively, deliberately, with intent to defraud,
16 and in reckless disregard of Plaintiffs’ and Class Members’ rights and well-being to enrich Apple.
17 Apple’s conduct warrants an assessment of punitive damages in an amount sufficient to deter such
18 conduct in the future, which amount is to be determined according to proof.
19 ELEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
Unjust Enrichment
20
21
206. Apple has been unjustly enriched by Plaintiffs and Class Members purchasing Class
22
Laptops from Apple and purchasing replacement parts and services from Apple that Plaintiffs and
23
Class Members would not have purchased but for Apple’s misconduct alleged above with respect to
24
the Screen Defect
25
207. Plaintiffs and Class Members unknowingly conferred a benefit On Apple of which
26
Apple had knowledge since Apple was aware of the defective nature of the Class Laptops’ Screen
27
Defect and the resultant performance problems but failed to disclose this knowledge and misled
28

1 Plaintiffs and Class Members regarding the nature and quality of the Class Laptops while profiting
2 from this deception.
3 208. The circumstances are such that it would be inequitable, unconscionable, and unjust to
4 permit Apple to retain the benefit of profits that it unfairly obtained from Plaintiffs and Class
5 Members. These profits include the premium price Plaintiffs and the Class paid for the Class Laptops
6 and the cost of the parts, services, and extended warranties bought from Apple to temporarily alleviate
7 the Screen Defect.
8 209. Plaintiffs and Class Members, having been damaged by Apple’s conduct, are entitled to
9 recover or recoup damages as a result of the unjust enrichment of Apple to their detriment.
10 PRAYER FOR RELIEF
11 WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request of this Court the following relief, on behalf of themselves and the
12 proposed Classes:
13 a. an order certifying the proposed Classes, designating Plaintiffs as named representatives of
14 the Classes, and designating the undersigned as Class Counsel;
15 b. a declaration that the screens are defective;
16 c. a declaration that Apple is financially responsible for the notifying all Class Members about
17 the defective nature of the Class Laptops;
18 d. an order enjoining Apple from further deceptive distribution and sales practices with respect
19 to the Class Laptops, and to permanently repair the Class Laptops so that they no longer
20 possess the Screen Defect;
21 e. an award to Plaintiffs and Class Members of compensatory, exemplary, and statutory
22 damages (except as expressly disclaimed herein), including interest, in an amount to be
23 proven at trial;
24 f. a declaration that Apple must disgorge, for the benefit of Plaintiffs and the Class Members,
25 all or part of the ill-gotten profits it received from the sale of the Class Laptops, or make full
26 restitution to Plaintiffs and the Class;
27 g. an award of attorneys’ fees and costs, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1021.5, and as otherwise
28 allowed by law;

1 h. an award of pre-judgment and post-judgment interest;

2 i. leave to amend this Complaint to conform to the evidence produced at trial; and
3 j. such other and further relief as the Court may deem appropriate under the circumstances.
4 DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
5 Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 38(b), Plaintiffs demand a trial by jury of any and all
6 issues in this action so triable as of right.
7 DATED: September 14, 2021 Respectfully submitted,
8
By: /s/Selin Demir
9
MIGLIACCIO & RATHOD LLP
10 Selin Demir, Esq. (SBN 331418)
Nicholas Migliaccio*
11
Jason Rathod*
12 388 Market Street
Suite 1300
13 San Francisco, CA 94111
Telephone: (415) 489-7004
14 Facsimile: (202) 800-2730
15 [email protected]
[email protected]
16
Robert Mackey, Esq. (SBN 125961)
17 Law Offices of Robert Mackey
16320 Murphy Road
18
Sonora, CA 95370
19
*pro hac vice application forthcoming
20
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

Class Action Complaint Against Apple Over M1 MacBook Display Issues

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Case 5:21-cv-07112 Document 1 Filed 09/14/21 Page 1 of 39

1 MIGLIACCIO & RATHOD LLP

6 Robert Mackey, Esq. (SBN 125961)

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1 https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252794122?answerId=255634544022&page=1 (last accessed

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1 76. Defendant is a “person” as defined in Cal. Civ. Code § 1761©.

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1 warranty, and by failing to provide to Plaintiff or California Subclass Members, as a warranty

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1 SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION

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1 h. an award of pre-judgment and post-judgment interest;

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