TEXARKANA, Ark. -- An Arkansas judge Thursday approved a $90 million settlement between Google Inc. and advertisers who claimed the Internet search engine company improperly billed them for "clicks" that didn't lead to genuine customers seeking their products.
Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin called the settlement "fair, reasonable and adequate" and downplayed claims it hurt small advertisers. More than 70 objections were filed, with smaller companies saying they didn't have the resources to prove "click fraud" losses.
By settling claims made in the plaintiffs' class-action lawsuit, Google will give advertising credits that are the equivalent of a $3.80 refund on every $1,000 spent in its advertising network during the past 4 1/2 years.
No one will receive cash except the lawyers, who will split $30 million.
Details here from the AP via the Washington Post.