MGM DVD replacement - is this a scam?

stevie_b_5

Someone on another message board I subscribe to posted this message

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Found this interesting article to DVD owners

"Apparently all of MGM's 'theatrical wide screen' DVD releases for the last few years have been the pan-scanned versions with the top and bottoms cut off. The list (PDF) of butchered movies includes almost every Woody Allen film, Silence of the Lambs, and Ghost World, just to name a few. If you own any of the eligible movies, you have until March 31 to either opt to exchange your copy for $7.10, or a new DVD from MGM, presumably in its proper aspect ratio."

More info about it in this link

https://www.wccplaw.com/home/notablecases/mgmdvd.shtml
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I've had a look at this web page, and I got a feeling that this might not be valid. I mean, a company as big as MGM having to do a product recall on a scale like this? Seems highly dubious.

What do you guys and gals think?

Rex_Mundi

This looks genuine to me. I've had a mooch round the web and found a few references to this case. It's not a product recall though. This offer is the result of a court case, and the refunds are only open to members of the class action.

Here's the website for the case settlement. It's advising members of the lawsuit what they have to do.
http://www.mgmdvdsettlement.com/

stevie_b_5

If this is genuine, then does anyone know whether or not it applies to Region 1 only, or if Region 2 are effected/covered by this class action? I bought the box-set DVD of all the James Bond movies, and I would hate to think that these aren't true wide-screen films.

Rex_Mundi

If this is genuine, then does anyone know whether or not it applies to Region 1 only, or if Region 2 are effected/covered by this class action? I bought the box-set DVD of all the James Bond movies, and I would hate to think that these aren't true wide-screen films.

The offer is only open to MEMBERS of the class action. Have you been involved in a lawsuit against MGM? If not then it doesn't matter what DVDs you have. The offer will not apply to you.

d.ylan

Rex_Mundi wrote:

The offer is only open to MEMBERS of the class action. Have you been involved in a lawsuit against MGM? If not then it doesn't matter what DVDs you have. The offer will not apply to you.

``You are a member of the proposed settlement class if between December 1, 1998 to September 8, 2003, you purchased certain MGM widescreen DVDs (DVDs for films shot in the aspect ratio of 1.85 to 1 or 1.66 to 1). ``

I read that as meaning that the class action was filed on behalf of -- and including everyone who -- meets that condition. Similar to the music company settlements for price fixing et al in the last couple of years.

Although that still doesnt answer the question of whether it includes region 1 and 2, but I'd imagine its just region1 and dependent on being an american resident, again, as per the previous music industry settlement that was along similar lines.