Seagate to repay customers over inaccurate gigabyte definition

I’m not sure how I missed this last month (or maybe this is a dupe), but someone on the MythTV mailing list brought this to my attention.  It seems that someone has finally gotten upset at hard drive marketing departments and how they advertise total drive capacity.  Those that have been around the block already know the number games that they play.  I can’t help but be reminded of a similar lawsuit that was brought against display makers a number of years ago regarding the marketing of monitor sizes.  If I remember correctly, the manufacturers used the excuse that the actual CRT tube was sized as advertised, but the plastic bezel masked the outer edge reducing its visible size.  The end result of that lawsuit was now display sizes have to be accurate.  Of course, it also helps that LCDs, which are pretty much standard fare these days, don’t have a need to be masked like the old CRTs.  Anyhow, take a gander and see if Seagate will be sending you a little love your way…

ComputerWorld

To qualify for cash payment benefit, the hard drives must have been bought before Jan. 1, 2006, and will require the serial number for each drive or proper documentation. Customers who purchased Seagate hard drives between Jan. 1, 2006, and Sept. 26, 2007, are only eligible submit an online claim for free backup and recovery software.