Last week, a federal judge preliminarily approved an antitrust claim against Electronic Arts (EA) for monopolizing a partnerships with the National Football League, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the Arena Football League with respect to its branded interactive football games. The settlement amounts to $27 million and EA must release its exclusivity rights for certain football games. With its marketing exclusivity, EA was able to gauge customers by hiking up the prices without facing any competition from other game makers.
The settlement agreement will benefit customers who purchased Madden NFL, NCAA Football and/or Arena Football League games between Jan. 1, 2005 and June 21, 2012. Class members who submitted a timely claim will receive up to $6.79 for each new purchase (up to eight units) for the Xbox, Playstation 2, PC, or Game Cube platforms. Up to $1.95 will be distributed for each new purchase (up to eight unites) for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 or Wii platforms. A fairness hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7, 2013 to determine, among other things, if the terms and conditions of the settlement are fair. Members who want to opt out must do so by Dec. 10, 2012. Complete details can be found at http://www.easportslitigation.com/.
