Apple agrees to pay $338 million to settle MacBook "butterfly" keyboard defect lawsuit, plus support four years of free keyboard repair

BEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - Apple Inc. today reportedly agreed to pay $50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit in which consumers accused Apple of hiding the fact that its MacBook laptops had a "butterfly" keyboard. In the case, consumers accused Apple of hiding the fact that the "butterfly" keyboard on its MacBook laptops was prone to failure.

Apple has filed this preliminary settlement in federal court in San Jose, California, and is seeking approval from a judge. In addition to the $50 million (about $338 million) settlement, MacBook users will also receive four years of free keyboard repair service.

According to consumers who filed the lawsuit, the keyboards on the MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro suffer from sticky and unresponsive keys, and a small amount of dust or debris can make typing very difficult. They also said that Apple's service was also inadequate, and that the same problems persisted despite the provision of replacement keyboards.

The settlement covers customers who purchased MacBook, MacBook Air and most MacBook Pro models in seven U.S. states (California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Washington) between 2015 and 2019.

While agreeing to the settlement, Apple denies any wrongdoing.

Lawyers representing consumers anticipate that they may receive up to $395 (about $2,666.25) for replacing multiple keyboards; up to $125 (about $843.75) for replacing one keyboard; and up to $50 (about $337.50) for replacing keycaps.

In addition, court documents indicate that Girard Sharp LLP and Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP, the law firms representing consumers, may seek up to $15 million (about RMB 101 million) in legal fees, which will be deducted from a $50 million settlement fund These fees will be deducted from the $50 million settlement fund.