Nike and Apple Settle FuelBand Class Action Lawsuit for $2.4 Million
[Today's Highlights]
○ Settlement Reached in Class-Action Lawsuit Against Nike and Apple Over FuelBand
○ Socialblood partners with Facebook to build a mobile network for blood donors
○ National Health and Family Planning Commission: Medical informatization is unstoppable
○ WeiWenzhen Partners with Sichuan Mobile
1. Nike and Apple Reach Settlement in FuelBand Class-Action Lawsuit
Nike and Apple Have Agreed to Settle the FuelBand Class-Action Lawsuit. Nike Will Pay Users Approximately $2.4 Million in Compensation, While Apple Bears No Responsibility for Providing Compensation to Users.
Two years ago, users collectively sued Nike and Apple for exaggerating the features of the Nike+ FuelBand smart wristband in their advertisements, making misleading claims about its ability to accurately track calories burned, steps taken, and even its proprietary NikeFuel activity metric. The lawsuit also alleged that the Nike+ FuelBand failed to honor its warranty terms.
Nike and Apple denied these allegations, but the companies have agreed to settle in order to avoid prolonged trouble and the distraction of ongoing litigation.
Nike stated that users who purchased FuelBand wristbands between January 19, 2012, and June 17, 2015, would receive compensation based on the number of FuelBand devices they owned. Each device would be compensated with either $15 in cash or a $25 gift card, redeemable at Nike’s online store and physical retail locations.
Last April, Nike laid off most of its hardware engineering staff and halted production of new FuelBands, shifting its focus to developing software for other devices.
2. Socialblood Partners with Facebook to Build a Mobile Network for Blood Donors
Socialblood partnered with Facebook’s Internet.org initiative to establish a mobile network of blood donors, aiming to boost voluntary unpaid blood donation in developing countries.
Internet.org aims to make internet access affordable for communities worldwide. In markets where users cannot afford connectivity, the app provides free basic services. People can browse curated websites featuring health, employment, and local information without incurring data charges.
According to a World Health Organization report, fewer than 1% of people in 75 low- and middle-income countries are willing to donate blood. SocialBlood aims to increase the number of voluntary donors through social networking platforms, where users leverage their social status and influence to help meet blood demand. This approach makes it easier for hospitals, blood banks, and other organizations to recruit and manage donors.
Facebook has shown growing interest in the healthcare sector, particularly through the development of patient communities.
3. National Health and Family Planning Commission: The Informatization of Healthcare Is Unstoppable
On July 23, the First Cross-Strait Symposium on Medical Information Standards and Mobile Health was held at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital. Zhang Feng, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Information under the National Health and Family Planning Commission, stated that medical informatization is an unstoppable trend and will be incorporated into the national “13th Five-Year Plan.” Data show that China’s mobile health industry has been growing at an average rate of approximately 24%, with growth in some regions potentially reaching 60%–70%.
Zhang Feng introduced that there were two key focuses in medical information construction during the early stage of the "13th Five-Year Plan" period: standardization and normalization of electronic health records for residents, and establishment of a national telemedicine system. Among these, appointment-based diagnosis and treatment for chronic diseases will also be included in the medical information initiatives benefiting the public.
4. Weiwenzhen Partners with Sichuan Mobile
Following the strategic partnership with Sichuan Unicom in May, Wei Wenzhen has recently joined forces with Sichuan Mobile to provide users with medical and health information and management services.
Wei Wenzhen is a mobile healthcare service platform independently developed by Sichuan Junyi Fudun Technology Co., Ltd., and it is the largest free pharmaceutical and medical service platform in China. Leveraging mobile internet technologies, it helps users access basic health consultations, medication guidance, electronic health record management, and private doctor services, as well as offers home delivery of medications within 30 minutes after online orders are placed.