Published January 13, 2015
An Arkansas judge Thursday approved a $90 million settlement between Google Inc. (GOOG) and advertisers who claimed the Internet search engine company improperly billed them for "clicks" that didn't lead to genuine customers seeking their products.
Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin called the settlement "fair, reasonable and adequate" and downplayed claims it hurt small advertisers. More than 70 objections were filed, with smaller companies saying they didn't have the resources to prove "click fraud" losses.
By settling claims made in the plaintiffs' class-action lawsuit, Google will give advertising credits that are the equivalent of a $3.80 refund on every $1,000 spent in its advertising network during the past 4½ years.
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No one will receive cash except the lawyers, who will split $30 million.
Some of the plaintiffs went before Griffin on Monday to argue that Google hadn't taken reasonable care to prevent click fraud and overstated the steps it has taken against would-be swindlers. Click fraud drives up advertisers' costs by falsely indicating the number of Web users who have "clicked" on an Internet ad.
A Texarkana company — Lane's Gifts and Collectibles — filed the lawsuit, which Griffin certified as a class action. Google did not admit liability in the case, which also involves other Internet companies whose cases continue.
Calls to Lane's Gifts and Collectibles lawyer John C. Goodson were not immediately returned Thursday.
Google lawyer Nicole Wong said the company was pleased by Griffin's decision.
"We look forward to continuing to manage invalid clicks effectively and provide our advertisers with an outstanding return on their investment," she said in a statement.
Google lawyer Daralyn Durie had told Griffin this week that 19 of the company's 20 largest advertisers had agreed to the settlement and urged its approval.
Brian Kabateck, a California-based lawyer who has sued Google for click fraud in a similar class-action lawsuit in San Francisco and objected to the Texarkana settlement, said he was disappointed with a decision awarding plaintiffs what he calculated to be a half-cent on the dollar.
"We just don't think it was fairly disclosed," Kabateck said from Los Angeles. "I suspect there's going to be a lot of happy lawyers in Texarkana. I bet the planes are landing at the Texarkana municipal airport right now carrying the cases of Dom Perignon."
Kabateck, who had some clients in the Texarkana case, said he plans to appeal Griffin's decision.
In his ruling, Griffin said he based his decision on the strength of Lane's case, Google's ability to pay, the potential expense of further litigation and the limited amount of opposition.
Those who opposed the settlement said the agreement switched the burden of proof to them, and argued they didn't have the resources to easily pursue their claims. Griffin said, however, their task wouldn't be impossible.
"The settlement class is not required ... to submit records or documents that they simply do not possess," Griffin wrote. "The settlement class is not burdened or discouraged from filing claims because they are required only to provide information to the best of their knowledge in submitting a claim form."
Daralyn Durie, an attorney representing Google, said the majority of class members have agreed to the settlement, including 19 of the company's 20 largest advertisers.
In Internet advertising, clicking on ads or windows — typically displayed at the top and sides of Web pages — triggers sales commissions even if the activity doesn't lead to a sale.
Click fraud cropped up several years ago as a way to drain advertising budgets or funnel illicit revenue to Web sites.
An independent report filed in court last week said while Google appears to be doing reasonably well protecting advertisers from scam artists preying upon Internet advertisers, it remains unclear how much the system is being bilked by click fraud.
Since 2001, the ads have generated $15.7 billion in revenue for Google and its partners, turning the Mountain View, Calif.-based company into one of the world's most prized businesses.
Under the settlement, if advertisers do not claim the full amount available, a portion would be made available to charitable organizations. Griffin also said 556 advertisers notified him they did not want to participate in the class-action lawsuit.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/arkansas-judge-oks-90-million-google-click-fraud-settlement