ROANOKE TIMES Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times DATE: Tuesday, March 4, 1997 TAG: 9703040049 SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
Apple Computer Inc. Monday agreed to offer PowerPC Upgrade Kits at less than half the original price to those who bought one of three of the company's Performa computers, as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. Apple also agreed to rebate $776 to consumers who have already purchased the upgrades.
The agreement settles charges that the struggling computer maker misrepresented that the upgrade was available to consumers when they purchased the computers or within a reasonable time thereafter. The FTC alleged that Apple didn't let consumers know that they'd have to buy and install the upgrade, called PowerPC technology, as well as other computer components.
``This is particularly important in the fast moving world of computers, where consumers must be able to rely upon claims made by companies that the product they are buying is, and will be, capable of remaining up-to-date,'' said Jodie Bernstein, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The computers involved in the rebate are Apple's Performa 550, Performa 560 and Macintosh LC 550. The company wasn't available for immediate comment.
-Bloomberg News
LENGTH: Short : 30 linesby CNB