Disney is offering refunds on its Baby Einstein DVDs. Consumers can get a $15.99 refund on Baby Einstein DVDs purchased between June 5, 2004 and September 9, 2009. Up to four DVDs can be returned per household. Disney's decision to offer a refund comes after a class-action lawsuit was filed in 2008.
The New York Timesreports that the class-action lawsuit filed last year pointed out Walt Disney's Baby Einstein campaign made false claims. The lawsuit pointed out that research shows television viewing is harmful not educational for babies.
Last year, lawyers threatened a class-action lawsuit for unfair and deceptive practices unless Disney agreed to refund the full purchase price to all who bought the videos since 2004. "The Walt Disney Company's entire Baby Einstein marketing regime is based on express and implied claims that their videos are educational and beneficial for early childhood development," a letter from the lawyers said, calling those claims "false because research shows that television viewing is potentially harmful for very young children."
The letter cited estimates from The Washington Post and Business Week that Baby Einstein controlled 90 percent of the baby media market, and sold $200 million worth of products annually.
The letter also described studies showing that television exposure at ages 1 through 3 is associated with attention problems at age 7.
The refund offer is called the The Baby Einstein DVD Upgrade / Moneyback Guarantee on the Baby Einstein website. It also offers consumers the option to swap the Baby Einstein DVD with a book or music item, or a 25% off coupon. The webpage located here includes the form you need to mail in your DVD for the redund or "upgrade."
Disney is offering refunds on its Baby Einstein DVDs. Consumers can get a $15.99 refund on Baby Einstein DVDs purchased between June 5, 2004 and September 9, 2009. Up to four DVDs can be returned per household. Disney's decision to offer a refund comes after a class-action lawsuit was filed in 2008.
