Apple and AT&T begin paying original iPad 3G buyers as part of class action settlement

Apple and AT&T have started sending out payments to buyers of the original iPad Wi-Fi + 3G in the U.S. in fulfillment of the two companies' settlement for a class action lawsuit over a bait-and-switch scheme involving the device's data plan. The lawsuit was filed in June 2010 shortly after Apple and AT&T allegedly pulled said scheme. An unlimited data plan was originally promised by the iDevice maker and the U.S. carrier to customers who each paid an extra $130 to access 3G on the cellular-enabled first-generation iPad model. They were also guaranteed the ability to switch back and forth between the unlimited data plan and cheaper yet limited data plans at no surcharge. But the companies later canceled both the unlimited data plan and the accompanying flexible option. Following the approval of the lawsuit's settlement, the companies were required to offer separate compensations to eligible class members. Apple was set to provide a $40 cash payment to each class member in the U.S. who purchased the original 3G-capable iPad on or before June 7, 2010. AT&T, on the other hand, was obliged to offer a data plan discount to each class member in the U.S. who purchased the original 3G-capable iPad on or before June 7, 2010, and who have not signed up for any AT&T 3G data plan for the device at any time. Eligible class members were allowed to submit claims for both forms of compensation until last Feb. 3. And as reported by 9to5Mac, Apple and AT&T started sending payments to claimants late last week and the checks began arriving today. A copy of the check stub and the accompanying letter sent by the "iPad Unlimited Data Plan Settlement Administrator" is pictured below: See also: Apple faces class action lawsuit over alleged Labor Code violations in California.

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