A class action lawsuit against Symantec Corp. ("Symantec") has recently been commenced, which alleges that Symantec, the company that sells Norton computer security products, has an unlawful policy of terminating subscription time of certain customers who purchased upgrades, without providing a credit or refund for unused subscription time and fails to disclose this policy. Symantec denies these allegations and asserts that, at all times, its actions and business practices have been lawful and appropriate. The court has not ruled on the merits of the claims.
The class is defined as follows: All persons and entities residing in the United States of America who, between December 5, 2001 and April 11, 2008, purchased online a Symantec Subscription Product with a Stock Keeping Unit that designates the product as an upgrade, the installation of which resulted in the uninstallation of another Symantec Subscription Product prior to the expiration of that Product's subscription. Symantec Subscription Product means any antivirus, internet security, internet safety and other software product sold by or on behalf of Symantec with a subscription for protection updates, content updates and/or other updates, including Norton Antivirus, Norton Internet Security, Norton Personal Firewall, Norton SystemWorks, Norton Confidential and Norton 360. Excluded from the class are all persons and entities who purchased upgrades through Symantec's Online Store. Also excluded are defendant, its agents and affiliates, any government entities, and any persons and entities for whom Symantec added back the subscription time upon request.
The Court also certified a subclass consisting of: All members of the class who purchased online, primarily for personal, household or family purposes, a Symantec Subscription Product with a Stock Keeping Unit that designates the product as an upgrade, the installation of which resulted in the uninstallation of another Symantec Subscription Product prior to the expiration of that Product's subscription.
