Apple Users Threaten to Sue Over iBook, iPod

An anonymous reader writes "Reuters is running a story about failing Apple hardware. 'Can a few bad apples -- like product quality complaints and potential lawsuits -- spoil the bunch for loyal fans of Apple Computer Inc. ahead of their biggest party of the year? As enthusiasts devoted to Apple prepare to descend on San Francisco next week for the annual Macworld conference, at least two online petitions have collected hundreds of signatures from potential plaintiffs seeking to file lawsuits over claims of defects in the iBook laptop.'" Yay, online petitions, the most effective way to effect change in the world.

Comments

3 months warranty extension after repair

[motown]

Here in the Netherlands (not sure about the rest of the EU) it is mandatory by law for a company to extend the warranty with 3 months after a product has been repaired and returned to the customer. This extension is not cumulative, if the standard warranty doesn't yet expire for at least three months after the repair, there is no further extension, as far as I know (unless the repair time takes too long, in which case the customer should also be compensated).

If a similar law were to apply in the US as well, then I'm sure Apple would think twice about shoving this problem under the carpet, since not taking action would possibly cost them more money in fines and legal expenses than if they just fixed the ibooks even though they're just out of warranty. Not to mention the reputation and goodwill that would be at stake.

Is there a similar law in the US? Knowing how little the US government protects consumers from malevolent companies, there probably isn't.

Call us communists, but the simple fact remains that corporate interests are often not the same as consumer's interests. The customer's rights should be defended, and there is definately a role for the government to play here.