InformationWeek

Wednesday, Jan. 15

Steamed Customers Sue AOL For Busy Signals

America Online is being sued for busy signals.

Five subscribers filed a class/action lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California in Los Angeles against the Vienna, Va., online service, seeking $20 million in damages for what they call "fraudulent and malicious misrepresentation." The suit conten ds that America Online offered a flat rate of $19.95 per month for unlimited usage but did not have enough phone lines in place to meet the surge in demand, resulting in constant busy signals.

The suit, which includes all subscribers who signed up for the flat rate, claims the unlimited usage promise was meaningless and that not being able to connect to the online service subjected them to "unjust hardship.'' They further claim AOL acted with "malice'' and "fraud'' in violation of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act.

/-Andy Patrizio

Read More Headlines or Return To Home Page