Apple to face trial over use of refurbished replacement devices

Apple Global Repair Update
Apple Global Repair Update (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

  • A class-action lawsuit against Apple is going to trial in August.
  • It's over claims that Apple's use of refurbished parts and remanufactured devices is a breach of contract.
  • It could see Apple customers get a payout if the suit is successful.

Apple is facing a trial over a class-action lawsuit that claims that using refurbished and remanufactured parts and devices to repair products like the iPhone is a breach of contract.

As noted by MacRumors, the case will call for trial in August. From the lawsuit's webpage:

The terms and conditions for AppleCare Protection Plan and AppleCare+ provide that when a customer seeks service for a covered iPhone or iPad due to a hardware defect or accidental damage, Apple Inc. will either repair the device or replace it with a device that is either "new or equivalent to new in performance and reliability."One of the types of replacements customers can receive under AppleCare Protection Plan and AppleCare+ is a remanufactured iPhone or iPad. Plaintiffs allege that remanufactured devices are not "equivalent to new in performance and reliability" and assert claims against Defendants for breach of contract, alleged violations of the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, and alleged violations of California's Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200. Defendants dispute that Plaintiffs were given anything other than the devices outlined under the AppleCare terms and conditions, and will present their defenses at trial.

The page notes that class members could be due a payout if the case is successful, but the deadline to ensure people don't want to be included in the case is May 3. Eligible customers are anyone who has bought AppleCare+ for either iPhone or iPad, directly or through the iPhone upgrade program, on or after July 2012 and received a replacement iPhone or iPad. You can read all the information here.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9