Court Decision: Apple not Obligated to Reveal Underlying Reason for MacBook's 'Stage Light' Display Problem
Apple's latest legal struggle over the "Flexgate" issue in certain MacBook Pro models isn't looking too bright, with a judge declining to reopen a class-action lawsuit, according to Bloomberg Law. The lawsuit claimed Apple knowingly sold Macs with defective internal display cables, causing dark spots on some screens and eventually rendering others unusable.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2020, accused Apple of being aware of issues in the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models but still selling those faulty units. The court found Apple had exclusive knowledge of the alleged defect due to pre-release testing and high customer complaints. However, Apple took a long time to address concerns and only fixed the problem in its 2019 model.
DIY repair specialists iFixit brought this issue to light, revealing that, after introducing the Touch Bar, Apple started using a thin, flimsy ribbon cable to connect the display to the base. Over time, this cable would wear out and cause issues, resulting in expensive screen replacements for the affected MacBook owners.
Following last year's ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, the case was dismissed in July 2021 by a US District Judge, who concluded the plaintiffs failed to prove the defect was a safety hazard or that Apple concealed knowledge of the problem. The plaintiffs then tried to appeal, claiming the ruling violated California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act and Unfair Competition Law.
However, the Ninth Circuit has now sided with Apple, ruling that the company has no duty to disclose the flaw. Although this is a significant win for Apple, individual consumers who have been affected by the Flexgate defect may still have legal options, such as filing individual claims or seeking compensation through small claims court.
As always, consumer awareness is crucial, and the denial of the appeal does not mean consumers are without alternatives. They can also keep an eye out for any new lawsuits or regulatory actions that might arise in the future. So, while it seems Apple's legal battles over the Flexgate issue are winding down, the saga isn't quite over yet.
The tech industry's future relies on companies being transparent about technology issues, with the Macbook's "Flexgate" case serving as a stark reminder of the fragility of deceptive practices. Apple's handling of the Flexgate issue, where defective cables in certain MacBook Pro models led to display issues, has been under scrutiny. The alleged failure to disclose symptoms of the problem prompted a class-action lawsuit, claiming Apple knowingly sold faulty units even after being aware of the tech flaw.
