Google Adwords Lawsuit?

Jim · 2006-06-02, 09:46 AM

I must have missed it but I just received this email. Any idea what they did?

This court-ordered notice may affect your legal rights. Please read it carefully. If you purchased online advertising from Google between January 1, 2002 and the present, you are a class member in a class-action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas. This notice is to inform you of the Court’s certification of a class; the nature of the claims alleged; your right to participate in, or exclude yourself from, the class; a proposed settlement; and how you can claim an award of advertising credits under the settlement. To request a copy of the attached notice in English, please send an email to this address: clicksettlementuk@enotice.info.

Surfn · 2006-06-02, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim

I must have missed it but I just received this email. Any idea what they did?

This court-ordered notice may affect your legal rights. Please read it carefully. If you purchased online advertising from Google between January 1, 2002 and the present, you are a class member in a class-action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas. This notice is to inform you of the Court’s certification of a class; the nature of the claims alleged; your right to participate in, or exclude yourself from, the class; a proposed settlement; and how you can claim an award of advertising credits under the settlement. To request a copy of the attached notice in English, please send an email to this address: clicksettlementuk@enotice.info.

I received that same notice about 3 weeks ago. I just deleted it. I have no idea what it's for.

Jim · 2006-06-02, 10:09 AM

Really, 3 weeks ago? Jesus, mine just came in today. I'm not really interested in the $2 of free adwords or less that I might get. I am more interested in what the accusations are. I replied so I should get the entire story soon.

Ramster · 2006-06-02, 10:24 AM

I got that email too and like Surfn mine was weeks ago. No idea what it is for.

PR_Tom · 2006-06-02, 10:27 AM

Did that come from Google though? There was one going around a couple of weeks ago that is some sort of scam/spam.

This is the text of a REAL email from a friend of mines adwords rep, received on May 18th.

"I hope all is well. As you may have heard recently in the media, Google
has settled a class-action lawsuit regarding invalid clicks. Over the
next few days, you can expect to receive formal notice of this settlement,
which will provide additional details and explain how you can participate
in the settlement. Please note that under the settlement, you will be
able to claim advertising credits that can be applied toward future
advertising with Google.

The official notice will be emailed to the contact email address that is
currently on file with your account. In an effort to ensure you are aware
of the settlement, you will receive a notification at the email address
associated with your AdWords account. Please watch for the notice(s), and
as always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me."

To my knowledge, she has not received a follow up email yet.

Jim · 2006-06-02, 10:32 AM

No, it didn't come from Google but they sent me here
http://www.clicksettlement.com/

PR_Tom · 2006-06-02, 10:36 AM

Oh I got that one too Jim, and I think it's a fake.
Came from clicksettlement@xmr3.com
I havent opened it, or deleted it. If I dont hear from them soon, I'm going to call and ask about it. But I think it's a fake..

Jim · 2006-06-02, 12:01 PM

Here's the thing, fake or not. It was sent to my gmail account that I only setup and use for adwords. I have never used it for anything else. And, I have never gotten anything other than mail from Google to that account.

Jim · 2006-06-02, 12:09 PM

Here is the pdf file with it
The people on the seochat forum claim it's real.
http://forums.seochat.com/attachment...tachmentid=460

msanchez · 2006-06-02, 12:15 PM

yeah I got that email to a couple weeks back and thought it was fake also. Apparently though it is real as posted at the adwords blog (which seems to be down right now or I would post the link).

Sorry Jim I dont really know the whole story of what its all about, maybe someone will tell us both

Jim · 2006-06-02, 02:01 PM

The pdf file kind of explains it all. The people that are suing adwords say that Google is claiming to be sending and charging for traffic they are not really sending.

SirMoby · 2006-06-02, 03:55 PM

I've been involved in about 2 dozen class action suits and never by my choice. They've usually been situation where some company was making pennies or even a couple of dollars a year from each customer and some lawyers want the money back.

The lawyers usually file the claims on our behalf unless we complete a form to NOT be in the claim. Then take thier share (about 60% to 80%) and distribute the rest but only to those that complete a 5 page form.

I don't know how many times I could get between 68 cents and 4$ if I just took 2 hours going through my files so that I could fill out that 5 page form.

Of course the lawyers always make $1,000,000 and the people get squat.

LB · 2006-06-02, 09:20 PM

Its not a fake.

This class action has been going on for quite some time, and the settlement was made recently. The lawyers are taking 1/3rd of the settlement ($90 million). As I have gathered you estimate your loss to click fraud in your settlement agreement and then your percentage is worked out against everyone elses.... then you get your .00000000001% of the $60 million. In short if you agree to it you will get a few $ in advertising credits but I think you will probably only get around 2c in every $1 of click fraud you claim.... in other words next to nothing.

We spent around $800k on adwords the last couple of years, and I don't think we would see more than a few hundred dollars. I will be opting out of the settlement since I would have to forefit any claim in the future and I estimate our click fraud to be around 4-5%.

Edit ... heres the post on the adwords blog about Lanes Gifts vs Google .... http://adwords.blogspot.com/2006/05/...ettlement.html

MaddCaz · 2006-06-03, 12:45 PM

fuck google

Useless · 2006-06-03, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddCaz

fuck google

Your idiotic posts would seem much more sensible if you'd fix your fucking sig. They're not just a waste of our time, but of your time too.

MadMax · 2006-06-03, 02:33 PM

I actually got a snail-mail notification on the lawsuit. I decided to ignore the opportunity to participate, since I've always at least hit "break even" with adwords and I never pushed enough money into the system to make getting involved worth it. I do know a few people who've put the big bucks in, though.

stuveltje · 2006-06-03, 05:52 PM

mmmm i got that email also weeks ago ( i use adwords for some time) , all also explained in different languages, i ignored it too, i didnt know it was real.

T Pat · 2006-06-03, 10:27 PM

I got the same e-mail on 5-20
I haven't spent enough on adwords to make reading the email worth my time

Jim · 2006-06-04, 10:38 AM

I haven't spent enough to make any money either. I just wondered what they did. I have looked into it and Google said it wasn't worth their time for this nuisance claim. But, if the lawyers received $90 million of the settlement, that would make the entire settlement $270 million. That seems like a lot of money to throw away for a nuisance lawsuit. Even at Google's Lawyer's fees, that is a lot of Lawyer time that they could have used to clear their name.

That is unless, they really did cheat everyone using adwords.

PR_Tom · 2006-06-05, 11:13 AM

Ok cool, good to know it's real. Glad I didnt delete it. Basically after June 19th you have to go to clicksettlement.com and there will be a claim form.
I think basically the lawsuit was about google saying there was not click fraud but Lanes had logs showing there was (or some such). I'll take the few bucks credit or whatever I wind up with. Might as well.

2006-06-02, 09:46 AM	#1
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Google Adwords Lawsuit? I must have missed it but I just received this email. Any idea what they did? This court-ordered notice may affect your legal rights. Please read it carefully. If you purchased online advertising from Google between January 1, 2002 and the present, you are a class member in a class-action lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Miller County, Arkansas. This notice is to inform you of the Court’s certification of a class; the nature of the claims alleged; your right to participate in, or exclude yourself from, the class; a proposed settlement; and how you can claim an award of advertising credits under the settlement. To request a copy of the attached notice in English, please send an email to this address: clicksettlementuk@enotice.info.

2006-06-02, 10:24 AM	#4
Ramster Life is good Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 11,867	I got that email too and like Surfn mine was weeks ago. No idea what it is for. __________________ Pornstar Legends \| Live Cam Model Shows \| Hungarian Girls Skype: robmurray999

2006-06-02, 10:27 AM	#5
PR_Tom Nobody gets into heaven without a glowstick Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 423	Did that come from Google though? There was one going around a couple of weeks ago that is some sort of scam/spam. This is the text of a REAL email from a friend of mines adwords rep, received on May 18th. "I hope all is well. As you may have heard recently in the media, Google has settled a class-action lawsuit regarding invalid clicks. Over the next few days, you can expect to receive formal notice of this settlement, which will provide additional details and explain how you can participate in the settlement. Please note that under the settlement, you will be able to claim advertising credits that can be applied toward future advertising with Google. The official notice will be emailed to the contact email address that is currently on file with your account. In an effort to ensure you are aware of the settlement, you will receive a notification at the email address associated with your AdWords account. Please watch for the notice(s), and as always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me." To my knowledge, she has not received a follow up email yet. __________________ PimpRoll

2006-06-02, 10:36 AM	#7
PR_Tom Nobody gets into heaven without a glowstick Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 423	Oh I got that one too Jim, and I think it's a fake. Came from clicksettlement@xmr3.com I havent opened it, or deleted it. If I dont hear from them soon, I'm going to call and ask about it. But I think it's a fake.. __________________ PimpRoll Last edited by PR_Tom; 2006-06-02 at 10:38 AM..

2006-06-02, 12:15 PM	#10
msanchez It is better to watch things then to do them Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The Thumb Posts: 484	yeah I got that email to a couple weeks back and thought it was fake also. Apparently though it is real as posted at the adwords blog (which seems to be down right now or I would post the link). Sorry Jim I dont really know the whole story of what its all about, maybe someone will tell us both __________________ I buy text links, clicked traffic, blog posts, and more! Hit me with a pm.

2006-06-02, 10:09 AM	#3
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Really, 3 weeks ago? Jesus, mine just came in today. I'm not really interested in the $2 of free adwords or less that I might get. I am more interested in what the accusations are. I replied so I should get the entire story soon.

2006-06-02, 10:32 AM	#6
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	No, it didn't come from Google but they sent me here http://www.clicksettlement.com/

2006-06-02, 12:01 PM	#8
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Here's the thing, fake or not. It was sent to my gmail account that I only setup and use for adwords. I have never used it for anything else. And, I have never gotten anything other than mail from Google to that account.

2006-06-02, 12:09 PM	#9
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	Here is the pdf file with it The people on the seochat forum claim it's real. http://forums.seochat.com/attachment...tachmentid=460

2006-06-02, 02:01 PM	#11
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	The pdf file kind of explains it all. The people that are suing adwords say that Google is claiming to be sending and charging for traffic they are not really sending.

2006-06-02, 03:55 PM	#12
SirMoby Jim? I heard he's a dirty pornographer. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,706	I've been involved in about 2 dozen class action suits and never by my choice. They've usually been situation where some company was making pennies or even a couple of dollars a year from each customer and some lawyers want the money back. The lawyers usually file the claims on our behalf unless we complete a form to NOT be in the claim. Then take thier share (about 60% to 80%) and distribute the rest but only to those that complete a 5 page form. I don't know how many times I could get between 68 cents and 4$ if I just took 2 hours going through my files so that I could fill out that 5 page form. Of course the lawyers always make $1,000,000 and the people get squat.

2006-06-02, 09:20 PM	#13
LB I want to set the record straight - I thought the cop was a prostitute Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 291	Its not a fake. This class action has been going on for quite some time, and the settlement was made recently. The lawyers are taking 1/3rd of the settlement ($90 million). As I have gathered you estimate your loss to click fraud in your settlement agreement and then your percentage is worked out against everyone elses.... then you get your .00000000001% of the $60 million. In short if you agree to it you will get a few $ in advertising credits but I think you will probably only get around 2c in every $1 of click fraud you claim.... in other words next to nothing. We spent around $800k on adwords the last couple of years, and I don't think we would see more than a few hundred dollars. I will be opting out of the settlement since I would have to forefit any claim in the future and I estimate our click fraud to be around 4-5%. Edit ... heres the post on the adwords blog about Lanes Gifts vs Google .... http://adwords.blogspot.com/2006/05/...ettlement.html __________________ IW skype blance8888 icq 15567120 Last edited by LB; 2006-06-02 at 09:24 PM..

2006-06-03, 12:45 PM	#14
MaddCaz WHO IS FONZY!?! Don't they teach you anything at school? Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 43	fuck google __________________

2006-06-03, 02:33 PM	#16
MadMax "Without evil there can be no good, so it must be good to be evil sometimes" ~ Satan Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Motor City, baby, where carjacking was invented! Now GIMME THOSE SHOES! Posts: 2,385	I actually got a snail-mail notification on the lawsuit. I decided to ignore the opportunity to participate, since I've always at least hit "break even" with adwords and I never pushed enough money into the system to make getting involved worth it. I do know a few people who've put the big bucks in, though.

2006-06-03, 05:52 PM	#17
stuveltje Live and learn. And take very careful notes! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sunny Holland Posts: 6,157	mmmm i got that email also weeks ago ( i use adwords for some time) , all also explained in different languages, i ignored it too, i didnt know it was real. __________________ Canadian Sexlinks - submit Erotica search -submit

2006-06-03, 10:27 PM	#18
T Pat You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Paridise Posts: 3,244	I got the same e-mail on 5-20 I haven't spent enough on adwords to make reading the email worth my time __________________ How To Keep An Asshole In Suspense I'll Tell You Later

2006-06-04, 10:38 AM	#19
Jim Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mohawk, New York Posts: 19,477	I haven't spent enough to make any money either. I just wondered what they did. I have looked into it and Google said it wasn't worth their time for this nuisance claim. But, if the lawyers received $90 million of the settlement, that would make the entire settlement $270 million. That seems like a lot of money to throw away for a nuisance lawsuit. Even at Google's Lawyer's fees, that is a lot of Lawyer time that they could have used to clear their name. That is unless, they really did cheat everyone using adwords.

2006-06-05, 11:13 AM	#20
PR_Tom Nobody gets into heaven without a glowstick Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 423	Ok cool, good to know it's real. Glad I didnt delete it. Basically after June 19th you have to go to clicksettlement.com and there will be a claim form. I think basically the lawsuit was about google saying there was not click fraud but Lanes had logs showing there was (or some such). I'll take the few bucks credit or whatever I wind up with. Might as well. __________________ PimpRoll