United States Chamber of Commerce Condemns Class Action Lawsuits Against Computer Manufacturers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce condemned the class action lawsuits filed this week against Hewlett-Packard Co., Compaq Computer Corp., NEC Packard-Bell and e-Machines Inc., as well as the class action lawsuit settled by Toshiba Corp. last Friday.

"These lawsuits are nothing more than blatant attempts to extort money from the fastest growing sector of our economy," said Jim Wootton, Executive Director of the U.S. Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform. "Congress must protect consumers, employees and shareholders from the cost of a legal system gone haywire, by making legal reform a top priority."

According to Wootton, "these lawsuits have the potential to damage the industry that is driving the new information economy.

"It's up to Congress to crack down on these abusive class-action suits before they cause serious harm to the economy," Wootton concluded.

The United States Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region. The mission of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform is to encourage the adoption of a civil justice system that is fair, fast and predictable.

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