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From...
PC World

Apple settles with FTC over tech support promise

January 28, 1999
Web posted at: 12:57 p.m. EST (1757 GMT)

by Elinor Mills apple

(IDG) -- Apple Computer Tuesday agreed to settle charges by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission that a four-year advertising campaign offering free access to technical support was deceptive, the FTC announced today.

The company's "Apple Assurance" campaign, which ran from September 1992 until April 1996, offered buyers of most Apple hardware products sold in the United States free access to tech support for as long as they owned the product. However, in October 1997 Apple began charging customers who had purchased products during the ad campaign a $35 fee for technical support, the FTC said in a statement.

Under the settlement, Apple will honor the service offer for customers who bought hardware during the ad campaign. The company will reimburse customers who paid a fee for technical support.
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"For prospective purchasers of computer products, free access to live technical support is especially enticing," said Jodie Bernstein, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, in the FTC's statement. "Companies that make such offers have to live up to their promises."

Apple public relations executives did not immediately return a call seeking comment.


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