Prometheus 6

via Slashdot:

Eallonardo, et al. v MGM, et al., Claims Administration Website

Welcome to the MGM DVD Settlement Website

You are a member of the proposed settlement class if between December 1, 1998 to September 8, 2003, you purchased certain MGM widescreen DVDs (DVDs for films shot in the aspect ratio of 1.85 to 1 or 1.66 to 1). To view the Eligible DVD List, please click here. To view the detailed Notice of Class Action and Proposed Settlement, please click here.

If the proposed settlement is approved by the Court, Class Members who submit timely and valid Claim Forms may exchange each Eligible DVD for (i) a new MGM DVD from a list of 325 titles or (ii) $7.10. To request a Claim Form, call 1-800-285-2168 (toll free). Before requesting a Claim Form, please verify that your DVD is an Eligible DVD by reviewing the Eligible DVD List. To view the Eligible DVD List, please click here. Claim Forms must be returned to the Claims Administrator postmarked on or before March 31, 2005.

The gravamen of Plaintiffs’ Complaint is that certain representations on the label and package insert of MGM’s widescreen DVDs are false and misleading because MGM’s widescreen DVDs for films shot in the 1.85 to 1 aspect ratio have the same image width as MGM’s standard screen format DVDs.

...which means instead of giving you the real-real wide screen, movie theater proportioned images they just hacked off the top and bottom of the movie image.

Of course, MGM denies any wrongdoing:

MGM has denied and continues to deny that any portion of the packaging on the outside or inside of its widescreen DVDs is misleading. MGM has asserted and continues to assert many defenses to Plaintiffs’ Complaint and expressly has denied and continues to deny any wrongdoing or liability whatsoever arising out of any of the conduct, acts or omissions alleged or that could have been alleged in the action. The Retail Defendants have alleged and continue to allege that Plaintiffs’ claims against them are defective as a matter of law and have denied and continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability whatsoever arising out of any the conduct, acts or omissions alleged or that could have been alleged in the action. This Settlement involves a compromise of a disputed claim and does not constitute an admission of liability by Defendants. The Court has made no rulings on the merits of the litigation and has not certified a class in this action. MGM’s widescreen DVDs are not defective or lacking in quality in any respect.

But they will refund $7.10 per movie on the list (you have to give up the disk) or replace it.

But there's no liability on their part, no suh.