Uber

California Court Applies Strict Scrutiny to Reject Uber Class Settlement

A Northern District of California judge refused to preliminarily approve a class settlement of Uber customers who used its “Rideshare Services” in which Uber would have paid class members $28.5 million. The court was concerned about several things. First, the settlement divided the settlement fund among class members on a per capita basis, which resulted in the compensation of some members who …


Federal Appeals Court Rules Uber Drivers May Not Bring Class Action Suit

[JURIST] The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit [official website] ruled [opinion, PDF] Wednesday that Uber [corporate site] drivers may not join in a class action suit to pursue employment claims against the transportation company but must resolve their disputes individually. The claims included a host of employment contract issues as well as allegations that the company responsible for …


‘Gig Economy’ Rests on Old English Legal Plank

………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. ………. After three years of litigation characterized as “contentious” by federal Judge Edward M. Chen, the parties announced a settlement. Uber agreed to adjust some business practices and pay out $84 …


Another Uber Settlement Rejected, This Time Over Riders’ Fee

Uber Technologies Inc. was dealt a second rejection of a legal settlement, this time in a case over claims the company misled riders when it charged them a $1 “safe rides fee” that earned the company almost half a billion dollars. U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar in San Francisco said the proposed $28.5 million payout wasn’t enough for customers, considering how much Uber took in from the fees. …


Otto, the Self-Driving Trucking Startup Bought by Uber, Is Being Sued for Trademark Infringement

Otto, a self-driving trucking startup built by ex-Googlers, darted into the spotlight earlier this month when Uber acquired it for a reported $680 million. So did Clearpath Robotics, a Canadian maker of autonomous robots that includes a division of self-driving warehouse robots named—you guessed it—Otto. Clearpath is now suing Uber’s Otto, the full name of which is Ottomotto, for infringing on …


Uber Wins Halt to N.Y. Price-Fixing Lawsuit During Appeal

A federal judge on Friday granted a request by Uber Technologies Inc and its chief executive officer to put a passenger’s price-fixing lawsuit against them on hold, while they appeal his refusal to let them arbitrate the dispute. Calling his decision a “close call,” U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan said the defendants had not made a “strong …



Federal Court Rules Uber’s Driver Pay Settlement Unfair for Drivers • Beacon Transcript

On Thursday, a U.S. District Court in San Francisco rejected a settlement Uber Technologies has reached with thousands of its drivers following a couple of class-action lawsuits as being unfair and unreasonable for drivers. Both sides were ordered to discuss the issue again in private and show up in court Sept. 15. Uber agreed to review its stance, but said that the April …


How Unique California Law Rescued Uber Class Action – Then Killed $100 Million Settlement

There is one big reason why Uber drivers have been able to pursue class actions against the company in federal court in California: the state’s one-of-a-kind Private Attorney General Act, which allows employees to sue for labor code violation in the name of the state. As a matter of public policy, according to a 2014 decision from the California Supreme Court, companies cannot …


Uber, Just Add E-Tips Already

A California judge, in tossing lemons in the direction of Uber, has given the ride-hail company the most perfect excuse yet to make some lemonade. Here’s why: Thursday, United States District Judge Edward Chen rejected Uber’s proposed class-action settlement with drivers in California and Massachusetts. The original suit sought to change the way drivers are classified, from benefitless …