What Is This Lawsuit About?

This lawsuit claims that Defendant violated Michigan’s Preservation of Personal Privacy Act, H.B. 5331, 84th Leg. Reg. Sess., P.A. No. 378 §§ 1-4, id. § 5, added by H.B. 4694, 85th Leg. Reg. Sess., P.A. No. 206, § 1 (Mich. 1989) (the “PPPA”), by disclosing information related to its customers’ magazine subscriptions to third parties before July 30, 2016. The Defendant denies it violated any law. The Court has not determined who is right. Rather, the Parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with ongoing litigation.

Who Is in the Settlement Class?

The Court decided that everyone who fits the following description is a member of the Settlement Class:

All Persons who purchased a subscription directly from the publisher of The Week for delivery to a Michigan street address, and who subscribed to such publication between December 17, 2015, and July 31, 2016.

What Does this Settlement Provide?

A Settlement Fund has been created totaling $5,082,870.00. Class Member payments, and the cost to administer the Settlement, the cost to inform people about the Settlement, attorneys’ fees (inclusive of litigation costs), and an award to the Class Representative will also come out of this fund.