Another Chance to Opt-Out of the Netflix Settlement

As expected, the Frank Chavez v. Netflix, Inc. settlement (www.netflix.com/settlement) has been revised slightly to eliminate the previously proposed automatic billing element. This revision to the settlement terms gives you another opportunity to exclude yourself from the class and preserve your right to sue Netflix in a separate case.

Note that you may exclude yourself even if you had already joined the settlement class. If you wish to exclude yourself from the class, you must send a letter stating that you wish to opt-out of the settlement. The deadline is June 26, 2006.

For information on how to opt-out, see Page 6 Item B of the Notice of Amended Class Action Settlement. Follow the directions carefully or your request will be considered invalid.

Netflix Sues Competitor over Business Model

Netflix is suing their major competitor over its business model. A major issue is whether Netflix owns the queue concept for selecting and distributing DVDs to subscribers.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco and is likely to launch the biggest legal battle yet in the DVD-by-mail industry.

Associated Press:

Online DVD rental service Netflix Inc. on Tuesday accused Blockbuster Inc. of illegally copying its ideas in a patent infringement lawsuit challenging the video store chain's recent Internet expansion.

The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, focuses largely on the online wish lists that prioritize the DVD desires of about 5.4 million people who subscribe to either Netflix or Blockbuster's Internet service.

Netflix also believes its patents cover perhaps its most popular feature -- the option of renting a DVD for an unlimited time without incurring late fees.

Read the full article here.
“Netflix Sues Blockbuster for Alleged Patent Infringement”