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An Apple iPhone

A class action suit is to be filed in South Korea on Jan. 13 in connection with Apple’s degradation of performance on its old iPhone models. The civic group Citizens United for Consumer Sovereignty (CUCS) announced on Jan. 10 that it plans to file suit with Seoul Central District Court on Jan. 13 to demand damages from Apple and Apple Korea.

An initial group of 150 people are reportedly to take part as plaintiffs, with requested damages set at 2.2 million won (US$2,050) each in view of average device costs and compensation payments.

The key question in court is likely to be whether Apple software updates that degraded the performance of older iPhone models were deliberately intended to drive up sales of new products. Users claim the degradation was a ploy to increase new iPhone sales, noting that Apple was aware of it when the updates occurred.

If the intent is proven, Apple is likely to face not only damages but also public censure. Many are also watching to see how the iPhone users attempt to prove negative material and psychological effects from the performance degradation in court. Users of the iPhone 6, 6S, and other older models have reported failures with money transfers and applications as a result of Apple’s update.

“Apple impaired the function of iPhone devices through in update without prior notification or user consent,” said attorney Jeong Jun-ho of CUCS’s consumer law center.

“This could be seen as a serious infringement of consumer rights,” he added.

More domestic suits to claim damages appear to be on the horizon. The law firms Hannuri and Hwimyung are currently recruiting litigants for their own cases.

By Kim Jae-seop, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]