Approval Notice for the Sylvania Automotive Lighting Class Action Settlement

If You Bought Sylvania Automotive Lighting You Could Get Money from a Class Action Settlement

Detailed information and updates are available on the Settlement Website: www.AutolightClaims.ca   

OTTAWA, Feb. 3, 2017 /CNW/ - A Canada-wide Settlement has been negotiated in class actions relating to the marketing and sales of Osram Sylvania Premium Automotive Lighting. This Settlement has been approved by the Courts and will provide benefits to purchasers of the following "Covered Products":

• SilverStar ULTRA, SilverStar, XtraVision, or Cool Blue replacement headlight capsules;
• SilverStar, XtraVision, or Cool Blue sealed beam headlights; or
• SilverStar fog or auxiliary lights.

ARE YOU INCLUDED?

You may be a Class Member if you purchased a Covered Product in Canada from September 22, 2005 until December 31, 2014.

WHAT IS THIS CASE ABOUT?

The lawsuits claim that Osram Sylvania, Inc., Osram Sylvania Products, Inc. and Osram Sylvania, Ltd. ("Sylvania") misrepresented that certain replacement automotive lighting is brighter, provides a wider beam and allows drivers to see farther down the road than standard halogen lighting. It also claims that Sylvania omitted material information regarding the reduced life of the replacement lighting. Sylvania denies that it did anything wrong. The Courts did not decide which side was right. Instead, the parties have decided to settle.

WHAT DOES THIS SETTLEMENT PROVIDE?

A Settlement Amount of not less than CDN $1,150,000 (the "Settlement Fund Minimum") and not more than CDN $1,750,000 (the "Settlement Cap Maximum") is intended to pay claims to eligible Class Members, Notice Costs, Claims Administration Fees and Expenses, Class Counsel Fees and Expenses, and Honorarium Awards to the Representative Plaintiffs.  In addition, Sylvania has also modified certain product(s) packaging. Full details about the Settlement are available on the Settlement Website at www.AutolightClaims.ca.

WHAT TYPE OF COMPENSATION CAN YOU RECEIVE?

Individual Class Member may qualify for Compensation for one of the following, irrespective of how many products have been purchased:

Covered Products	Initial Amount	Maximum Amount
SilverStar ULTRA, SilverStar, XtraVision, or Cool Blue replacement headlight capsule	$12.00	$24.00
SilverStar, XtraVision, or Cool Blue sealed beam headlights	$12.00	$24.00
SilverStar fog or auxiliary lights	$12.00	$24.00

For each Claimant who submits a valid Claim, payment as described above will be issued¹, so long as providing such Compensation does not exceed the Settlement Cap Maximum. If providing each Claimant with such Compensation will exceed the Settlement Cap Maximum, then in such circumstances each Claimant's Compensation will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.

HOW DO I ASK FOR A PAYMENT?

To receive Compensation, eligible Class Members must submit a Claim Form to the Claims Administrator through the Settlement Website, by email, or by mail sent no later than May 4, 2017. The Claim Form only takes 3-5 minutes to complete. No proof of purchase is necessary.

WHEN SHOULD I MAKE A CLAIM?

Immediately - the Claim Form is already available on the Settlement Website at www.AutolightClaims.ca or you can obtain one by contacting the Claims Administrator at 1-855-745-7374.  You should act as quickly as possible, a Claim Deadline has been set for May 4, 2017.

WHAT HAVE THE COURTS DECIDED?

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Québec have approved the Settlement as fair, reasonable and in the best interests of Class Members. The Courts have also approved a request from Class Counsel for counsel fees, disbursements and taxes, as well as, honorarium payments to the Representative Plaintiffs.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

If you are a Class Member, you may (1) send in a Claim Form; (2) exclude yourself (Opt-Out); or (3) do nothing.

If you don't want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must opt-out.  To do so, you must complete and submit an Opt-Out Form to the Claims Administrator by no later than March 20, 2017.  The manner in which you opt-out is available on the form found on the Settlement Website.  Residents of Québec must in addition give notice to the Clerk of the Superior Court of Québec.  Anyone who opts out will not be bound by the Settlement Agreement and will not be eligible to claim benefits under the Agreement, but may be eligible to pursue an individual claim. 

WHEN WILL I BE PAID?

Cheques will only begin to be mailed to eligible Class Members for Compensation at the earliest starting on July 3, 2017.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

This Notice summarizes the proposed Settlement. More details are in the Settlement Agreement. You can get a copy of the Settlement Agreement and detailed information on how to obtain or file a Claim or Opt-Out on the Settlement Website at www.AutolightClaims.ca .  For any other information, please call the Claims Administrator at:

Bruneau Group Inc.
Nelson P.O. 20187 – 322 Rideau St.
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5Y5
Tel:  [phone]
Email:  [email protected]

WHO REPRESENTS ME?

Class Counsel, or the law firms representing the Plaintiffs, are the following:

This Notice has been approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Québec.

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¹ less the withholding owing to the Fonds d'aide aux recours collectifs (for Quebec residents only and if applicable).

SOURCE Bruneau Group

Bruneau Group, [email protected], 1-855-745-7374