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.....a Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel of 25 WC %Nol ADR -FILING I Michael W. Sobol (State Bar No. 194857) 1 Eric B. Fastiff (State Bar No. 182260) 404, t4.6.0RNicuPiAss, opikvsii immumma Co= 2 I Nicole D. Reynolds (State Bar No. 246255) LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP 8 ie://ivad ensimei A t-sh,, 1:1= 3 275 Battery Street, 29th Floor: San Francisco, CA 94111 CZ 4 Telephone: (415) 956-1000 pickiA E-mail: [email protected] 5 [email protected] AN j OF c tffir [email protected] os8 Aoroliivi.4 6 Daniel R. Karon (to be admitted pro hac vice) 7 GOLDMAN SCARLATO KARON NA & PENNY, P.C. 8 700 W. St. Clair Avenue, Ste. 204 Cleveland, OH 44113 9 Telephone: (216) 622-1851 E-mail: [email protected] 10 Laura Killian Mummert (to be admittedpro hac vice) 11 GOLDMAN SCARLATO KARON & PENNY, P.C. 12 i 101 E. Lancaster Ave., Ste. 204 Wayne, PA 19087 13 Telephone: (484) 342-0700 E-mail: [email protected] 14. Attorneys for Plaintiff 15 16 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 17 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 18 SAN JOSE DIVISION 19 C V 1 3 0 1 7 5 1 ilicii L 20 ADAM SAVE1T, individually and on Case No. behalf dal] others similarly situated, 21, CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT Plaintiff, 22 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED 2V. 3 24 25 COUPONS.COM, INC., Defendant. 26 Plaintiff Adam Savett, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, alleges 27 on personal knowledge, investigation of his counsel, and on information and belief as follows: 28 10910212 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Page 1: a WC -FILING I Bar CZ ensimei Co= immumma I 1 Street ... · Coupons.com is an internet-based business that illegally and deceptively sold Daily Deals,, gift certificates for a wide

.....a

Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel of 25

WC

%Nol

ADR-FILINGI Michael W. Sobol (State Bar No. 194857)

1 Eric B. Fastiff (State Bar No. 182260)

404,t4.6.0RNicuPiAss,opikvsiiimmummaCo= 2 I Nicole D. Reynolds (State Bar No. 246255)

LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP

8 ie://ivadensimei A t-sh,,1:1= 3 275 Battery Street, 29thFloor:San Francisco, CA 94111CZ 4 Telephone: (415) 956-1000 pickiAE-mail: [email protected]

5 [email protected] AN j OF c [email protected] os8 Aoroliivi.4

6Daniel R. Karon (to be admitted pro hac vice)

7 GOLDMAN SCARLATO KARON NA& PENNY, P.C.

8 700 W. St. Clair Avenue, Ste. 204Cleveland, OH 44113

9 Telephone: (216) 622-1851E-mail: [email protected]

10Laura Killian Mummert (to be admittedpro hac vice)

11 GOLDMAN SCARLATO KARON& PENNY, P.C.

12 i 101 E. Lancaster Ave., Ste. 204Wayne, PA 19087

13 Telephone: (484) 342-0700E-mail: [email protected].

Attorneys for Plaintiff15

16 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

17 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

18 SAN JOSE DIVISION

19 C V 1 3 0 1 7 5 1 iliciiL

20 ADAM SAVE1T, individually and on Case No.behalf dal] others similarly situated,

21, CLASS ACTION COMPLAINTPlaintiff,

22 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

2V.3

24

25

COUPONS.COM, INC.,

Defendant.

26 PlaintiffAdam Savett, individually and on behalf ofall others similarly situated, alleges27 on personal knowledge, investigation ofhis counsel, and on information and belief as follows:

28

10910212 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page2 of 25

%iroe lkod

1 NATURE OF THE ACTION

2

3

1. Coupons.com is an internet-based business that illegally and deceptively sold

Daily Deals,, gift certificates for a wide variety ofgoods and services that included expiration4

dates in violation of California Civil Code 1749.5, which prohibits selling gift certificates with5 I

6 any expiration date,

7 2. Coupons.com knew and profited from the fact that consumers were unlikely to

8 redeem their gift certificates before they expired. When this occurred, Coupons.com refused to

9 refund the purchase price of the gift certificates unless consumers requested a refund within 30

10 days ofpurchase. This practice violated California Civil Code 1749.5, which requires the11

redemption ofall gift certificates sold after January 1, 1997 at any time for their full cash value.12

133. In an effort to avoid California gift-certificate law, Coupons.com misrepresented

14that its "Daily Deals" were "promotional certificates" or "coupons, thereby misrepresenting that

15 its gift certificates were something other than gift certificates. But because Coupons.com sold its

16 gift certificates for a specific price and issued them for a stated value or amount, they were unlike

17 typical promotions or coupons and instead met the legal definition of gift certificates, subjecting18

them to California's prohibition on gift certificate expiration dates.19

4. On behalfof himself and the Class, Plaintiff brings this lawsuit against20

21Coupons.com for violating California's Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17200

22 et seq. ("UCL"); California's False Advertising Law, Cal. Bus & Prof. Code 17500 et seq.I

23 ("FAI.."); and California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act, 'Cal. Civ. Code 1750 et seq.

24 ("CLRA") (injunctive relief only).25 5. Plaintiff seeks restitution and other equitable relief on behalfofhimself and the26 I

Class, including full refunds, injunctive relief, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, and any27

28

10910212 2 CLASS ACTION COMPLANT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page3 of 25

0 %ow

1 additional relief that this Court determines to be necessary or appropriate to provide complete2 relief to Plaintiff and the Class.

3PARTIES

46. Plaintiff resides in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Coupons.com made offers to Plaintiff

5

6for discounted products and services, and Plaintiff purchased Coupons.com gift certificates based

7 on Coupons.com's representations and claims. The Coupons.com gift certificates that Plaintiff

8 purchased contained illegal expiration dates.

9 7. Coupons.com, Inc. is incorporated under Delaware law and has its corporate10

headquarters in Mountain View, California. Coupons.com marketed, sold, and issued its

11Coupons.com gift certificates to tens or hundreds of thousands of consumers throughout the U.S.

12JURISDICTION AND VENUE

13

148. This matter in controversy exceeds $5,000,000, as each member of the proposed

15 Class, which is believed to number at least in the tens of thousands, is entitled to restitution of the

16 purchase price of their gift certificates. In addition, Plaintiffalleges a national class, which will

17 result in at least one Class member belonging to a different state. Accordingly, this Court has

18jurisdiction according to the Class Action Fairness Act, 28 U.S.C. 1332(d)(2).

199. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Coupons.com because Coupons.com is

20

21headquartered in California; is authorized to do business and regularly conducts business in

22 California; and marketed, sold, and issued Coupons.com gift certificates in California. Also,

23 Coupons.com's "Terms ofUse" requires that the parties "submit to the exclusive jurisdiction" of

24 state or federal courts located in Santa Clara County, California and adds that California law

25governs Plaintiff s claim against it.

2610. Venue is proper under 18 U.S.C. 1965(a) because Coupons.com is headquartered

27

28in Santa Clara County, California. Venue is also proper under 28 U.S.C. 1391(a) and (b)

Io910231 3 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page4 of 25

1 because a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to Plaintiff's claims occurred

2I here. What's more, Coupons.com "Terms of Use" contains a venue-selection clause that requires

3CL

any action at law or in equity arising out ofor relating to these Terms of Use shall be filed and4

adjudicated only in the federal or state courts located in Santa Clara County, California."5 I6 FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

7 11. Coupons.com sold "Daily Deals" via e-mail to consumers who subscribed to

8 receive these offers online. These Daily Deals required consumers to pay a purchase price for a

9 voucher, in exchange for which consumers purportedly received a discount on a variety of goods10 and services. For example, for a $50 purchase price, a consumer might have purchased a 60-11

minute massage purportedly "worth" $80. Upon information and belief, tens of thousands of12

13people nationwide purchased Daily Deals from Coupons.com.

1412. Coupons.com represented to consumers that it was able to offer them discounts

15 through the power of "collective buying." At the same time, Coupons.com convinced its retail

16 partner businesses, with whom it shared revenues, that these Daily Deals would attract new

117 customers.

1813. The expiration dates on Coupons.com's Daily Deals were prohibited by California

19..Civil Code 1749.5 because Coupons.com issued the Daily Deals for a specific amount in

20I2exchange for a payment.1

22 14, The Daily Deals did not constitute "awards, loyalty, or promotional program[s]" as

23 described by California law because "money or other thing ofvalue [was] given in exchange for

24 the gift certificate by the consumer." Cal. Civ. Code 1749.5(01).25 15. Nevertheless, Coupons.com illegally and deceptively sold its Daily Deals gift26

certificates with expiration dates and misrepresented to consumers that its Daily Deals were not27

28gift certificates but were instead "promotional certificates" or "coupons."

1091023.2 4 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page5 of 25

II

1 16. If a consumer presented an unused gift certificate more than 30 days after

2 purchase, Coupons.com refused to refimd it. This practice violated California law that provides

3"any gift certificate sold after January 1, 1997, is redeemable in cash for its cash value" at any

4time CaL Civ. Code 1749.5(b)(1).

517.

6Coupons.com's practices harmed consumers. For example, consumers who were

7 unable to redeem their gift certificates, perhaps because the retail business offering the products

8 or services could not accommodate such large numbers of consumers seeking to redeem identical

9 certificates, were left without any recourse after only a short time had lapsed.

10 18. Coupons.com relied on the fact that many consumers would not redeem their Daily11

Deals before these deals' short expiration dates and would instead either discard them or have the

12

13participating merchant decline them, despite having already paid for them.1 As a result,

14 Coupons.com reaped huge profits at their customers' expense.

15 19. As it did to thousands ofother consumers, Coupons.com illegally and deceptively

16 sold Plaintiff a Daily Deal certificate bearing an expiration date.

17 20. On or about March 27, 2011, Coupons.com sent a Plaintiff a Daily Deal e-mail

18offer for Finish Line Car Wash gift certificates.

1921. Plaintiff does not recall Coupons.com informing him of any expiration date on the

20certificates in this offer.

21

22 22. Based on Coupons.com's offer, Plaintiffbought two certificates costing $14.99

23 I each, plus a shipping and handling fee of$1.50, for a total of $31.48. For this payment,

24 Coupons.com promised to send Plaintiff two gift certificates, each redeemable for three full-

25See Marcia Kaplan, Daily Deals: A Good Investmentfor Merchants?, Jan. 16, 2012,

26 httn://www.nracticalecommerce.comiarticles/3293-Dailv-Deals-A-Good-Investment-for-Merchants (last visited on Apr. 3, 2013) ("One way merchants can make a profit is if a high

27 percentage ofpeople who buy the deals don't redeem them. Yipit estimates that about 20 percentof deals go unredeemed."); Kelli B. Grant, 10 Things Daily Deal Sites Won't Say, Mar. 29, 2011,

28 www.smartmoney.com/spendingIdeals/10-thing-daily-deal-sites-won't-say-1301404072442 (lastvisited on Apr. 2, 2013) (estimating that about 40% ofdeals go unredeemed).1091023.2 5 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page6 of 25

1 service car washes (up to a $63.00 maximum value), four discounted wash packages at 50% off

2 (up to a $42.00 maximum value), four discounted wash packages at 25% off(up to a $213

maximum value), and two discounted detail services at 25% off.4

23. Coupons.com sent Plaintiff an e-mail confirming his purchase and explaining that5

6it would ship the certificates via USPS. Coupons.com did not inform Plaintiff ofany expiration

7 date on the certificates.

8 24. The Finish Line Car Wash gift certificates that Coupons.com issued and sent to

9 Plaintiff purported to expire on April 1, 2012.

1025. Plaintiff gave one of the gift certificates to a friend as a gift and kept the other

11certificate for himself. But he was unable to redeem the gift certificate he kept for himself before

12

13Coupons.com's April 1, 2012 purported expiration date. After this expiration date, Plaintiff

14 reasonably believed that his gift certificate. was no longer valid and that he could not redeem it.

15 26. In the aforementioned manner, Coupons.com's actions harmed Plaintiff by causing

16 him to lose money or property.

17 CLASS-ACTION ALLEGATIONS

1827. Plaintiff brings this class-action lawsuit on behalf ofhimself and the proposed

19Class members under Rule 23(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

20

2128. Plaintiff seeks certification of the following Class: All people in the U.S. who

22 putthased or acquired a Coupons.com gift certificate with an expiration date. Specifically

23 excluded from the Class are Coupons.com and any entities in which Coupons.com has a

24 controlling interest, Coupons.com's agents and employees, the judge to whom this action is

25 assigned, members of the judge's staff, and the judge's immediate family.26

29. Numerosity. Plaintiff does not know the exact number of Class members but27

believes that the Class comprises tens of thousands, ifnot hundreds of thousands, of consumers28

1091023/ 6 CLASS ACTION` COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page7 of 25

'1000

throughout the U.S. As such, the Class is so numerous that joinder of all members is

2 impracticable.3

30. Commonality andpredominance. Well-defined, nearly identical legal or factual4

5questions affect all Class members. These questions predominate over questions that might affect

6 Iindividual Class members. These common questions include, but are not limited to, the

7 following:

8 a. Whether Coupons.com's Daily Deals were gift certificates under California

9 law;

10b. Whether Coupons'com sold gift certificates with expiration dates in

11violation of California law;

12

13c. Whether Coupons.com engaged in deceptive and unfair business and trade

14 practices by including expiration dates on its gift certificates and by refusing to provide refunds

15 for these gift certificates' cash value unless requested within 30 days ofpurchase;

16 d. Whether Plaintiff and Class members are entitled to restitution and other

17 equitable relief; and

18e. Whether Coupons.com should be enjoined from engaging in this type of

19conduct.

20

2131. Typicality. Plaintifr s claims are typical ofclass members' claims. Plaintiff and

22 the class members all sustained injury as a direct result of Coupons.com's illegal imposition of

23 expiration dates on its Daily Deal gift certificates.

24 32. Adequacy. Plaintiffwill fairly and adequately protect class members' interests.

25 Plaintiff has no interests antagonistic to Class members' interests, and he has retained counsel that26

has considerable experience and success in prosecuting complex class-action and consumer-27 I

protection cases.28

1091023.2 7 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page8 of 25

410

II 33. Superiority. A class action is the superior method for fairly and efficiently2 adjudicating this controversy for the following reasons without limitation:

3a. Class members' claims are relatively small compared to the burden and

4expense required to litigate their claims individually, so it would be impracticable for Class

5

6members to seek individual redress for Coupons.com's illegal and deceptive conduct;

7 H b. Even if Class members could afford individual litigation, the court system

8 could not. Individual litigation creates the potential for inconsistent or contradictory judgments9 and increases the delay and expense to all parties and to the court system. By contrast, a class

10 action presents far fewer management difficulties and provides the benefits ofsingle adjudication,11

economy of scale, and comprehensive supervision by a single court; and12

13c. Plaintiff anticipates no unusual difficulties in managing this class action.

14 COUNT IViolation of California Business & Professions Code 4 17200 et sea..

1534. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference every allegation set forth in the

16preceding paragraphs as though alleged in this Count.

17

1835. Section 17200 ofthe California Business & Professions Code ("UCL") prohibits

19 I any "unlawful, "unfair, or "fraudulent" business practice.

20 36. Coupons.com violated the "unlawful" prong of the UCL by selling and issuing gift21 certificates with expiration dates prohibited by California law, Cal. Civ. Code 1749.5.

22 37. Coupons.com's illegal and deceptive conduct was additionally "unlawful" in that it23

violated the CLRA, Cal. Civ. Code 1750 et seq.24

38.25

Coupons.com's practice ofselling and issuing gift certificates with illegal and

26 I deceptive expiration dates violated the "unfair" prong ofthe UCL because it was immoral,

27 unethical, oppressive, unscrupulous, unconscionable, and/or substantially injurious to Plaintiff

28 I

1091023.2 8 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page9 of 25

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1 and Class members. Coupons.com's practice was also contrary to legislatively declared and

2 public policy and the harm it caused to consumers outweighed its utility.3

39. Coupons.com violated the "fraudulent" prong of the UCL by making material4

misrepresentations and by failing to disclose material information regarding the true nature of its5

6 Daily Deals gift certificates and the illegality of the expiration dates on its gift certificates.

7 Coupons.com's material misrepresentations and failure to disclose were likely to mislead the

8 public.

9 I 40. Plaintiff relied on Coupons.com's material misrepresentations and nondisclosures,10

and would not have purchased the gift certificates had he known the truth.11

41. As a direct and proximate result ofCoupons.corn's unfair, unlawful, and12

fraudulent conduct Plaintiff lost money or property, including the money that he paid to purchase13

14his Coupons.com gift certificates and the stated monetary value ofthose gift certificates.

15 42. Coupons.com's conduct caused substantial injury to Plaintiff and Class members.

16 Accordingly, Plaintiff seeks an order enjoining Coupons.com from committing such unlawful,17 unfair, and fraudulent business practices and requiring Coupons.com to return the full amount of

18money that Class members paid for their gift certificates. Plaintiffalso seeks attorneysfees and

19costs under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1021.5.

20

COUNT II21 Violation of California Business & Professions Code 17500 et seg.,22

43. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference every allegation set forth in the23

preceding paragraphs as though alleged in this Count.24

44.25

Coupons.com committed acts ofuntrue and misleading advertising likely to

26deceive the public, as defined in Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17500, et seq., by:

27 11 a. Falsely representing its Daily Deal gift certificates as "promotional

28 II certificates" or "coupons";

10910231 9 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel0 of 25

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1 b. Failing to disclose that its gift certificates' expiration dates were illegal;2 and

3c. Falsely representing that consumers could obtain a cash reftuid for their gift

4certificates only ifpresented to Coupons.com within 30 days ofpurchase.5

645. Coupons.com's untrue and misleading advertising was objectively material, in that

7 a reasonable consumer would have acted differently in the face ofthe truth.

8 46. Plaintiff relied on Coupons.com's untrue and misleading advertising and would

9 not have purchased the gift certificates had he known the truth.

1047. As a result of Coupons.com's untrue and misleading advertising, Plaintiff lost

11money or property, including the money he paid to purchase his Coupons.com gift certificates

12

13and the stated monetary value of those gift certificates.

14 48. Coupons.com's conduct caused substantial injury to Plaintiff and Class members.

15 Accordingly, Plaintiff seeks an order enjoining Coupons.com from such untrue and misleading

16 advertising and requiring Coupons.com to return the full amount ofmoney that Class members

17 paid for the gift certificates. Plaintiff also seeks attorneys' fees and costs as permitted by Cal.

18Code Civ. Proc. 1021.5.

19COUNT HI

20 Violations of the Consumer Leeal Remedies Act, California Civil Code fil750 et seq.

21 49. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference every allegation set forth in the

22preceding paragraphs as though alleged in this Count.

2350. Coupons.com is a "person, as defmed by Cal. Civ. Code 1761(c).

2451. Plaintiff and the Class are "consumers, as defined by Cal. Civ. Code §1761(d).25

2652. The gift certificates that Coupons.com sold constitute "goods" and "services, asI

27 defined by Cal. Civ. Code §1761(a) and (b).

28

10910232 10 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page11 of 25

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1 53. Plaintiff's and Class members' purchases of Coupons.com gift certificates

2 constitute "transactions, as defined by Cal. Civ. Code 1761(e).3

54. Plaintiff and Class members purchased Coupons.com's gift certificates for4

personal, family, and household purposes as meant by Cal. Civ. Code 1761(d).5

655. Venue is proper under Cal. Civil Code 1780(c) because Coupons.com has its

7 principal place of business in this District. Plaintiff's Declaration establishing that this Court has

8 proper venue for this action is attached as Exhibit A.

9 56. Coupons.com's actions deceived consumers in that these actions misrepresented,10 failed to disclose, or actively concealed (a) the true nature ofCoupons.com's Daily Deals (by11

describing them as "promotional certificates" rather than as "gift certificates") and (b) the12 I

13illegality of the expiration dates that Coupons.com imposed on its gift certificates.

1457. Coupons.com's misrepresentations, active concealment, and failure to disclose

15 violated the CLRA in the following manner:

16 a. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates had characteristics,

17 benefits, or uses that they did not have (Cal. Civ. Code 1770(a)(5));18

b. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates were ofa particular19

standard, quality, and/or grade when they were of another (Cal. Civ. Code 1770(a)(7));20

21c. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates conferred or involved

22 rights, remedies, or obligations that they did not have, and Coupons.com failed to disclose that its

23 gift certificates imposed expiration dates and other illegal and/or onerous terms (Cal. Civ. Code

24 1770(a)(14));25 d. Coupons.com inserted unconscionable provisions in its contract for

26purchasing gift certificates—specifically, illegal expiration dates and illegal requirements that

27consumers request refunds within 30 days ofpurchase (Cal. Civ. Code 1770(a)(19)).

28 I

1091023.2 ii CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel2 of 25

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1 58. The facts and information regarding Coupons.com's gift certificates and their

2 expirations dates that Coupons.com misrepresented, failed to disclose, and actively concealed to

3Plaintiff and Class members were material because a reasonable person would have considered

4them important in deciding whether or not to purchase the gift certificates and because

5

6 Coupons.com had a duty to disclose the truth.

7 59. Plaintiff and Class members relied upon Coupons.com's misrepresentations and

8 nondisclosures regarding its gift certificates and their expiration dates and had Plaintiff and Class

9, members known the truth, they would have acted differently.10 60. As a direct and proximate result of Coupons.com's misrepresentations and

11nondisclosures, Plaintiff and the Class have been irreparably harmed.

1261. On behalf of the Class, Plaintiff seeks injunctive relief in the form of an order

13

14 enjoining Coupons.com from imposing illegal expiration dates on gift certificates in the future as

15 well as attorneys' fees and costs.

16 62. In accordance with Cal. Civ. Code 1782(a), on April 17, 2013 Plaintiffs' counsel

17 served Coupons.com with notice of its CLRA violations by certified mail, rettm3 receipt18

requested. A true and correct copy of that notice is attached as Exhibit B.

1963. If Coupons.com fails to provide appropriate relief for its CLRA violations within

20

2130 days of Plaintiffs' April 17, 2013 notification letter, Plaintiffs will amend this complaint to

22 seek compensatory and exemplary damages as permitted by Cal. Civ. Code 1780 and 1782(b).

23 PRAYER FOR RELIEF

24 1. On behalfofhimself and the Class, Plaintiff requests that the Court order relief

25 and enter judgment against Coupons.com as follows:

262. An order certifying Plaintiff's proposed Class and appointing Plaintiff and his

27,counsel to represent the Class;

28

10910232 12 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel3 of 25

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1 3. An order that Coupons.com is permanently enjoined from its improper conduct

2 and practices as alleged;3

4. A judgment awarding Plaintiff and Class members restitution, including, without

restitutionary disgorgement ofall profits and unjust enrichment that Coupons.com5 I

6 II obtained as a result of its unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business practices and conduct;

7 5. Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest;

8 I 6. Attorneys' fees, expenses, and the costs ofthis action; and

9 7. All other and further relief as this Court deems necessary, just, and proper.10

JURY DEMAND11

Plaintiffdemands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.12

13 Dated: April 2013 Respectfully submitted,

14 LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN, LLP

15

16 By:

17Nicole D. Reynolds

18 Michael W. [email protected]

19 Eric B. [email protected]

20 Nicole D. [email protected] LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP

22 275 Battery Street, 29th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94111

23 Telephone: (415) 956-1000

24 Daniel R. [email protected]

25 IGOLDMAN SCARLATO KARON& PENNY, P.C.26700 W. St. Clair Avenue, Ste. 204

27 Cleveland, OH 44113Telephone: (216) 622-1851

28

1091023.2 13 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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2Laura Killian [email protected]

3 GOLDMAN SCARLATO KARON& PENNY, P.0

4 101 E. Lancaster Ave., Ste. 204Wayne, PA 19087

5 Telephone: (484) 342-0700

6Attorneysfor Plaintiff

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1091023.2 14 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel5 of 25

%kW Skid

EXHIBIT A

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel6 of 25

1 Michael W. Sobol (State Bar No. 194857)Eric B. Fastiff (State Bar No. 182260)2 Nicole D. Reynolds (State BarNo. 246255)LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP3 275 Battery %vet, 29th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94111

4 Telephone: (415) 956-1000E-mail: [email protected]

5 msobol b.comefastiffelcbh.com

6Daniel R. Karon (to be admittedpro hac vice)7 GOLDMAN SCARLATO KARONk PENNY, P.C.

8 700 W. St Clair Avenue, Ste. 204Cleveland, OH 44113

9 Telephone: (216) 622-1851E-mail: [email protected]

10Laura Killian Mummert (to he admitted pro hoc vice)I I GOLDMAN SCARLATO KARON& PENNY, P.0

12 101 E. Lancaster Aye., Ste. 204Wayne, PA 19087

13 Telephone: (484) 342-0700E-mail: [email protected]

14Attorneys for Plaintiffs

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16 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

17 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

18 SAN JOSE DIVISION

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Case No.20 ADArjoT, illdiliardVsr and °II

21 CLASS ACTION COMPLAINTPlainta

n DXCLARATIQN OF ADAM SAVETTV.

234 COUPONS.COM, lNC.,

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I092313.1 INCLARATION OF ADAM eAvErr

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel7 of 25

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I, Adam Savett, hereby declare and state as follows:2 1. I am over the age of 18, and a plaintiff in this action. The facts contained in this3 declaration are based on my personal knowledge, and ifcalled upon to do so, I could and would4 testify competently hereto.

5 2. The complaint in this action, filed concurrently with this declaration, is filed in the6 pmper place for trial under California Civil Code 1780(d), because Coupons.corn, Inc.'s7 principal place ofbusiness is in this District.8

9 I declare under penalty ofperjury under the laws ofthe United States and the State of10 California that the foregoing is tnie and correct.

11 Executed on April 10" 2013, in %Ion I011.0

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13 „I/4M/ ^Pr.1(---"--14 Adazn Sayan

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101/2310.1 2 DECLARATION OF ADAM SAVErr

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EXHIBIT B

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Pagel9 of 25

Lieff Lieff Cabraser Fleirrann & Bernstein, LP275 Battery Street 291b FlOOf

Cabraser San Francisco, CA 94111-3339

Heimann& t 415.956.1000

Bernstein f 415.956.1008

Attorneys at Law

April 17, 2013

iiii_c_mninp_waLunatigsEcEEERFAImm

Steven R. Boal, President and CEORichard Hornstein, General Coimsel and CFOCoupons.com, Inc.400 Logue AvenueMountain View, CA 94043

Registered Agent for Service of ProcessC T Corporation System818 W Seventh StLos Angeles CA 90017

Re: Notice g€ Violation of California Consumer Legal Remedies Act

Dear Mr. Boal and Mr. Hornstein:

We represent Adam Savett, who purchased two Coupons.com "Daily Deals" giftcertificates with purported expiration dates on March 27, 2011. We send this letter under theCalifornia Consumers Legal Remedies Act, California Civil Code Section 1750 et seq. ("CLRA"),to notify Coupons.corn that its sale ofDaily Deals gift certificates with illegal expiration datesviolated the CLRA and to demand that Coupons.com rectify its violations within 30 days of

receipt of this letter.

Coupons.com sold to Ms. Savett and other consumers Daily Deal gift certificates with

expiration dates prohibited by California Civil Code 1749.5. On or about March 27, 2011,Coupons.com sent Mr. Savett a Daily Deal e-mail offer for Finish Line Car Wash gift certificates.Mr. Saved bought two certificates (one ofwhich he gave to a friend) costing $14.99 each, plus a

shipping and handling fee of $150, for a total of $31.48. The Finish Line Car Wash giftcertificates that Coupons.com issued and sent to Mr. Savett purported to expire on April 1, 2012.

Mr. Savett was unable to redeem the gift certificate be kept for himselfbefore the purportedexpiration date.

Coupons.com misrepresented to Mr. Savett and consumers that its Daily Deals were

"promotional certificates" or "coupons, but because they were sold in exchange for a payment,and because they were issued for a specified value, they were "gift certificates" under Californialaw and thus subject to California's gift certificate law. See Cal. Civ. Code §1749.5(d)(1).

San Francisco New York Nashville www.lieffcabraser.com

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page20 of 25

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April 17, 2013Page 2

Coupons.com also misrepresented to Mr. Savett and consumers that they could not obtainrefunds for any unused Daily Deal, unless the refund was requested within 30 days ofpurchase,even though California law requires that gift certificates be redeemable for their full cash valueat any time. See Cal. Civ. Code §1749-5(b)(1). Mr. Savett reasonably believed that he could notobtain a refund for his Daily Deal after its expiration, and was thus harmed by Coupons.com'smisrepresentations.

Coupons.com's material misrepresentations and failures to disclose violated the CLRA inthe following manner:

1. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates had characteristics, benefits, oruses that they did not have (Cal. Civ. Code 1ro(a)(5));

2. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates were of a particular standard,quality, and/or grade when they were of another (Cal. Civ. Code §1770(a)(7));

3. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates conferred or involved rights,remedies, or obligations that they did not have, and Coupons.com failed todisclose that its gift certificates imposed expiration dates and other ffiegal and/oronerous terms (Cal. Civ. Code 1770(a)(14));

4- Coupons.com inserted unconscionable provisions in its contract for purchasinggift certificates; specifically, illegal expiration dates and illegal requirements thatconsumers request refunds within 30 days ofpurchase (Cal. Civ. Code

1770(a)(19)).

We demand that within thirty (30) days of receiving this letter, Coupons.com agree to(1) refrain from engaging in the deceptive practices described above at any time in the future;and (2) return all money Coupons.com's customers paid for unredeemed, expired Daily Deals.If Coupons.com refuses to provide the demanded relief within thirty (30) days, we will seekcompensatory and punitive damages, restitution, and any other appropriate equitable relief.

We sincerely hope to confer with you to resolve these violations without the need forlitigation. I invite you to contact me to discuss this demand at any time. I can be reached at (415)956-1000 ext. 2230 or nreynoldsOlchb.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Very truly yours,

Nicole D. Reynolds

1040828.1

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1 Filed04/18/13 Page21 of 25

April 17, 2013Page 2

Coupons.com also misrepresented to Mr. Savett and consumers that they could not obtainrefunds for any unused Daily Deal, unless the refund was requested within 3o days ofpurchase,even though California law requires that gift certificates be redeemable for their full cash valueat any time. See Cal. Civ. Code 1749.5(b)(1). Mr. Savett reasonably believed that he could notobtain a refund for his Daily Deal after its expiration, and was thus harmed by Coupons.com'smisrepresentations.

Coupons.com's material misrepresentations and failures to disclose violated the CLRA inthe following manner:

1. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates had characteristics, benefits, or

uses that they did not have (Cal. Civ. Code §177o(a)(5));

2. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates were of a particular standard,quality, and/or grade when they were of another (Cal. Civ. Code 177o(a)(7));

3. Coupons.com represented that its gift certificates conferred or involved rights,remedies, or obligations that they did not have, and Coupons.com failed todisclose that its gift certificates imposed expiration dates and other illegal and/oronerous terms (Cal. Civ. Code 177o(a)(14));

4. Coupons.com inserted unconscionable provisions in its contract for purchasinggift certificates; specifically, illegal expiration dates and illegal requirements thatconsumers request refunds within 30 days ofpurchase (Cal. Civ. Code

1770(a)(19)).

We demand that within thirty (30) days of receiving this letter, Coupons.com agree to(1) refrain from engaging in the deceptive practices described above at any time in the future;and (2) return all money Coupons.com's customers paid for unredeemed, expired Daily Deals.IfCoupons.com refuses to provide the demanded reliefwithin thirty (30) days, we will seekcompensatory and punitive damages, restitution, and any other appropriate equitable relief.

We sincerely hope to confer with you to resolve these violations without the need forlitigation. I invite you to contact me to discuss this demand at any time. I can be reached at (415)956-1000 ext. 2230 or i p oldsPlchb.com. I look forward to hearing fromyou.

Very truly yours,

Nicole D. Reynolds

1040828.1.

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1-1 Filed04/18/13 Page1 of 2

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Case5:13-cv-01751-HRL Document1-2 Filed04/18/13 Pagel of 1

Court Name: U.S. District Court, NDCADivision: 5Receipt Number: 54611013501Cashier ID: escolacTrent;action Date: 04/18/2013Payer Name: SAN FRANCISCO LEGAL SUPPORT,

CIVIL FILING FEEFor: ADAM SAVEJTCase/Party: D-CAN-513-CV-001751-001Amount: $358.00

PAPER CHECK CONVERSIONCheck/Money Order Hum: 124826Amt Tendered: $350.08

Total Due: $350.00Total Tendered: $330.00Change Amt: $0.00

5-CV-13-1751-HRL

Checks and drafts are acceptedsubiect to collections and fullcreait will only be given when thecheck or draft has been accepted bythe financial institution on whichit was drawn.