SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A notification program is underway, as approved by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the "Court"), to alert recipients enrolled in the "Disco" group text messaging service offered by Slide Inc. ("Slide"), a subsidiary of Google Inc., about a proposed class action settlement that may affect their rights.  Slide and Google are referred to as the "Defendants."

This lawsuit claims that unsolicited text messages were sent to consumers from the "Disco" group text messaging service created by Slide.  The lawsuit claims that Defendants violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act because consumers did not provide prior express consent to receive these text messages.  The Defendants deny they violated any law or committed any wrongdoing.  The Court has not determined who is right.  Rather, the Parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with ongoing litigation.

The Settlement Class includes all persons in the United States or its territories that received a text message regarding the Disco messaging service that was sent through the Disco messaging service without prior express consent. The text messages involved contained the following or similar language: "Disco is a group texting service. Standard SMS rates may apply or chat for FREE w/ our app – http://disco.com/d  More info? Text *help  To quit? Text *leave."   

Notices will be mailed to known potential Class Members and are scheduled to appear across the country in online banner advertisements and in national consumer publications leading up to a hearing on May 14, 2013, when the Court will consider whether to grant final approval to the settlement.  The Court has appointed Jay Edelson, Rafey S. Balabanian, and Christopher L. Dore of Edelson McGuire, LLC to be the attorneys representing the Class.

Defendants have created a Settlement Fund totaling $6 million.  Those affected by this settlement can submit a claim requesting benefits or they can ask to be excluded from, or object to, the settlement and its terms.  The deadline for exclusions and objections is April 2, 2013.  The deadline to submit a Claim Form is June 28, 2013.

A toll-free number, 1-877-341-4575, has been established in the case known as Pimental v. Google, Inc. et al, No. 11-cv-02585-YGR, along with the website, www.discotextsettlement.com, where the notice, claim form, settlement agreement and other documents may be obtained.  Those affected may also write with questions to Disco Text Settlement Administrator, PO Box 3967, Portland, OR 97208-3967.

/URL: http://www.discotextsettlement.com

SOURCE The United States District Court for the Northern District of California