Disney Expands ‘Baby Einstein’ Refunds

By : John Latchem | Posted: 26 Oct 2009
jlatchem@questex.com

The Walt Disney Co. is expanding its refund program for “Baby Einstein” DVDs, according to The Associated Press.

The company’s consumer satisfaction program offers cash refunds for any DVDs bought from June 5, 2004, to Sept. 4, 2009. Consumers also can exchange DVDs for a “Baby Einstein” book or music CD, or receive 25% off a “Little Einstein” product. The offer expires March 4.

The refund program stems from a complaint by The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which claimed the DVDs falsely promised educational value, such as teaching words to babies younger than 2 years old. The Campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in May 2006, prompting Disney to alter its packaging and remove testimonials from its Web site.

The FTC dropped the issue in December 2007, but Campaign lawyers in June 2008 threatened a class-action lawsuit against Disney.