Early Canadian iPod Owners Get $45 Credit from Apple

The Gazette reports that two class-action lawsuits against Apple Canada have been settled with a $45 credit being offered to Canadian residents who purchased a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation iPod prior to June 24, 2004.

The basis of the lawsuit was due to claims that the iPod's battery life shortened to only 3 hours in the second year of ownership despite advertised claims of eight hours between recharges.

As many as 80,000 Canadians could be eligible for the $45 credit which can be used at the Apple online store. The decision mirrors a similar settlement in the U.S. for the same claims. In that case, Apple paid out a $50 credit to affected individuals.

Full details of the settlement are available at http://www.apple.com/ca/ipod/settlement/.