Faulty power button on the Apple iPhone 4 leads to $5 million suit against Apple

A class action law suit against Apple has been filed under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), which is commonly used against corporate gang syndicates, but is also used for Class Action suits. The suit alleges that the power button on the Apple iPhone 4 is designed to stop working once the one-year warranty expires, forcing the owner of the phone to shell out $149 for a repair, or to buy a whole new device.

According to the suit, which seeks $5 million from Apple, the flex cable on the device is faulty, leading to the problems. And the plaintiff, Debra Hilton of Florida, alleges that Apple was well aware of the situation. To back up that claim, Ms.Hilton points out that Apple discussion forums read by hundreds of thousands of visitors, complained about a "wiggly" power button on the Apple iPhone 4. She also mentions a fix-it video on YouTube uploaded by a self-proclaimed iPhone repairman who said that the power button was defective. The video has been viewed more than 1 million times, and you can view it yourself by clicking on the video below.

Apple has not yet commented on the suit.



source: SCRIBD, GIGaom via TUAW