A Superior Court judge in Santa Clara, California, has given the green light for a class action suit to be brought against Symantec, the maker of Norton security, over the length of subscriptions enforced after a user purchases an upgrade.
Symantec faces class action suit over upgrade offers.. (IMG: J. Anderson)
The suit claims that when users purchased a new subscription contract, the length was not adjusted to account for any time remaining on their previous licenses.
The case itself (Heverly/Margolis vs. Symantec Corp.), can include anyone who purchased a Norton upgrade between December 05 of 2001 and April 11 of 2008.
“Plaintiffs claim that each Class member purchased Norton computer security software which came with a subscription for regular “content updates,” which keep the security software up to date. These updates are delivered by Symantec via online downloads through the LiveUpdate feature of the Norton software. As the subscription expiration date approaches, the Norton security software prompts the user to consider renewing their subscription for another term and also presents an opportunity to upgrade to a new product by making an online purchase,” the class action notice states.
“If the user then chooses to purchase an upgrade, the new subscription begins when the upgrade is installed, not when the existing subscription expires. Plaintiffs allege that the new subscription should begin when the existing subscription expires, and that Symantec unlawfully terminated subscription time without providing a credit or refund and without disclosing this policy.”
Symantec denies any wrong doing in the case.
Those keen on joining the class action should take note that there’s a catch, according to the official notice:
“Excluded from the class are all persons and entities who purchased upgrades through Symantec’s Online Store. Also excluded are defendant, its agents and affiliates, any government entities, and any persons and entities for whom Symantec added back the subscription time upon request.”
More information on the case can be found by clicking here.
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