In 2013, a California federal judge granted final approval to a $27 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by consumers against Electronic Arts alleging it violated antitrust and consumer laws by inflating the price of EA-published videogames.
The lawsuit alleges EA established agreements with the National Football League (NFL), The NFL Players Union, Arena Football League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), that drove competition out of the market and prevented new competitors from entering.
Through these exclusive deals, attorneys believe that Electronic Arts forced consumers to pay a premium for certain sports titles, including Madden NFL. Hagens Berman, representing respective class members, seeks punitive damages against Electronic Arts.
On Dec. 21, 2010 a federal judge certified a national class-action lawsuit against Electronic Arts, Inc. based on allegations that video game consumers overpaid for popular sports titles including Madden NFL. The decision, ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker on Dec. 21, 2010, also appointed Hagens Berman to serve as co-counsel representing consumers nationwide who purchased NFL, NCAA or Arena Football League branded video games produced and released by Electronic Arts after January 1, 2005. Consumers who purchased similar titles for mobile devices were excluded from the class action.
CASE TIMELINE
A California federal judge granted final approval to a $27 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by consumers against Electronic Arts.
