Law Office of Glen H. Chulsky
410 Route 10 West
Suite 210
Ledgewood, NJ 07852
Voice: (973) 252-9000
Fax: (973) 252-9100 (no unsolicited
faxes)
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Click Here for a Printable Version of this notice
Click Here for a Printable Version of the certificate
Click Here for a Sample Facsimile for the Spanish Yellow Pages
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Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement
and Fairness Hearing
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PALACE DRUG STORES, INC., on behalf of itself
and all others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs,
v.
HISPANIC MEDIA GROUP USA, INC. d/b/a THE
SPANISH YELLOW PAGES USA; HISPANIC
MEDIA GROUP, INC. d/b/a THE SPANISH
YELLOW PAGES USA; THE SPANISH YELLOW
PAGES USA; SKY MEDIA CORP. A/K/A SKY
MEDIA CORPORATION; EDDIE CRUZ; JOHN
DOES 1-5; AND ABC CORPORATIONS 1-5,
Defendants.
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SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
HUDSON COUNTY: LAW DIVISION
Docket No.: L-3954-03
CIVIL ACTION
NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION
SETTLEMENT
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- This is a notice to inform you about a settlement in a lawsuit brought against the
Defendants for alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
- You may be entitled to the benefits of the settlement. This notice describes the settlement
and informs you of your rights.
- Please take time to read this notice carefully – If you take no action, you will automatically
remain in the Class and be eligible to receive the benefits of the settlement. If you decide
to exclude yourself from the litigation and not receive the benefits of the settlement, you
must read and follow the instructions in section 11 of this Notice.
Do not be alarmed. You are NOT being sued.
A New Jersey court authorized this notice.
This is not a solicitation
Summary
What is the purpose of this notice?
This Notice is to inform you of a proposed Settlement in a Class Action lawsuit against the Defendants listed in
the above caption in this matter.
What is this lawsuit about?
The Plaintiff, Palace Drug Stores, Inc., sued Defendants on behalf of itself and others located within New Jersey
who received on a facsimile machine a faxed unsolicited advertisement sent from, by or on behalf of any of the
above listed Defendants, advertising on behalf of the Spanish Yellow Pages and/or on behalf of the Spanish
Yellow Pages of New York at any time on or after July 26, 1999 through August 2, 2005. This class action
seeks to recover damages for Class Members and to end the challenged practices.
Am I a member of the Class?
Members of the Class include all parties located within New Jersey who at any time on or after July 26, 1999
through August 2, 2005 received on a facsimile machine a faxed unsolicited advertisement sent from, by or on
behalf of any of the above listed Defendants, advertising on behalf of the Spanish Yellow Pages and/or on
behalf of the Spanish Yellow Pages of New York. If you believe you are a Class Member and a Notice was not
sent to you, please read this Notice for instructions. You do not have to do anything to remain in the Class.
You will need to redeem the Free Listing or $500.00 Discount Certificate that is included in this Notice
(or the facsimile Notice if you received one) in order to receive your choice of benefit available under the
Settlement.
Can I exclude myself from the settlement?
Yes. Please read this Notice for further details.
What this Notice Contains
Basic Information ....................................................................................PAGE 4
1. What is this lawsuit about?
2. What is a class action and who is involved?
3. What is the purpose of this Notice?
4. Why is there a settlement?
The Claims in the Lawsuit .....................................................................PAGES 4-5
5. What are the issues in this lawsuit?
6. What did the plaintiff ask for?
7. Who is representing the Class in this case?
The Terms of the Settlement ..................................................................PAGES 5-6
8. What is the proposed settlement?
Your Rights and Options ........................................................................PAGES 6-8
9. How do I participate in the settlement?
10. What claims are released if I participate in the settlement?
11. What if I want to exclude myself from the Class and the settlement?
12. What if I object to the terms of the settlement?
13. What is the difference between objecting to the settlement and asking to be
excluded from the class?
14. What will happen at the Fairness Hearing?
15. How will I know if the settlement is approved?
Additional Information ...........................................................................PAGE 8
16. Where can I get more details about the case?
Basic Information
1. What is this lawsuit about?
Plaintiff filed this action in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County alleging that the
defendants violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. '227 (“TCPA”) and the
New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act by sending unsolicited facsimile advertisements. The unsolicited
fax(es) advertised on behalf of the Spanish Yellow Pages and/or on behalf of the Spanish Yellow
Pages of New York. Defendants deny that they violated any law or committed any wrongdoing.
2. What is a class action and who is involved?
In a class action lawsuit, a person or business entity called a “Class Representative” (in this case,
Palace Drug Stores, Inc. and Farash & Robbins, Inc.) sues on behalf of others who have similar
claims. These people together are a “Class” or “Class Members.” The people who sue are called
the Plaintiffs. Defendants are the party being sued. Since everyone in the Class has the same
claims against the Defendant, one court can resolve the issues for everyone in the Class – except for
those customers who choose to exclude themselves from the Class.
3. What is the purpose of this Notice?
This Notice provides you with a summary of the lawsuit, a description of the proposed settlement
and informs you of your rights in this matter. This Notice is also provided in the event that you
believe that you are a member of the Class, but you did not receive a Notice that was sent via
facsimile (fax).
4. Why is there a settlement?
Both sides agreed to a settlement before going to trial in order to avoid the cost of a trial and the
uncertainties of the outcome of a trial. The Class Representatives and their lawyers think the
proposed settlement is in the best interest of all Class Members. By settling this lawsuit,
Defendants do not admit any wrongdoing. The Court has not decided in favor of Plaintiffs or
Defendants.
The Claims in the Lawsuit
5. What are the issues in this lawsuit?
Palace Drug Stores, Inc. alleges that Defendants violated the Federal Telephone Consumer
Protection Act by sending unsolicited facsimile (fax) transmissions advertising on behalf of the
Spanish Yellow Pages and/or on behalf of the Spanish Yellow Pages of New York.
Defendants deny that they violated any law or committed any wrongdoing.
6. What did the plaintiff ask for?
The Plaintiff sought damages for the Class, including itself. It also sought to have Defendants end
the challenged practices.
7. Who is representing the Class in this case?
The Court has decided that the following lawyers are qualified to represent you and all other Class
Members:
Glen H. Chulsky, Esq.
Law Office of Glen H. Chulsky
410 Route 10 West, Suite 210
Ledgewood, NJ 07852
(973) 252-9000 phone
ghc@njconsumerfraudlawyers.com
David B. Warshaw, Esq.
Goldman & Warshaw, PC
34 Maple Avenue, Suite 106
Pine Brook, NJ 07058
(973) 439-0077
These attorneys are experienced in handling similar class action cases. You will not be charged for
their services. You may choose to have you own attorney represent you in this matter. If you want
to be represented by your own lawyer, you will be responsible for paying his or her fees.
The Terms of the Settlement
8. What is the proposed settlement?
Under the terms of the settlement:
1) The Defendants will provide each Settlement Class member with a Certificate, entitling each
Class Member to a free one (1) year listing in the Spanish Yellow Pages or other like publication of
HMG (which has a 2005 ad rate value of $1,378.00) or a $500.00 credit to be used towards any
display advertisement offered by HMG. Certificates are valid for two years from the date of
transmission of the Certificates to Class Members. The actual expiration date is set forth on each
Certificate. Class Certificates may not be combined with other Class Certificates but may be
combined with any other coupons, certificates or offers issued by HMG after the date this
settlement is accepted and shall so specify.
2) To redeem your choice of benefit available under the Settlement, you will need to claim your
benefit by filling out the information required on the Certificate and then contacting the Spanish
Yellow Pages at 1-800-499-7828. The Certificate may be presented to the Defendants (The
Spanish Yellow Pages) by the Class Member at any point during the negotiation or sales process.
3) Defendants will pay all costs of administering the settlement.
4) Defendants will pay $68,500.00 to Class Counsel for attorney's fees and expenses incurred in
connection with this litigation. In addition, HMG shall provide plaintiff’s counsel with a one time,
one (1) year free, no charge full page display advertisement in the Spanish Yellow Pages or other
like publication of HMG, which has a 2005 ad rate value of $21,043.00. These payments will not
reduce the benefits to the Class.
5) Defendants will make an incentive payment of $6,000.00 to Class Representative Palace Drug
Stores, Inc. and an incentive payment of $500.00 to Class Representative Farash & Robbins, Inc. in
recognition of their efforts on behalf of the Class.
6) Defendants will consent to the entry of an order, called an injunction, that mandates that the
challenged practices cease without any admission of improper past practices or any agreement that
the allegations of the Complaint are correct.
Your Rights and Options
9. How do I participate in the settlement?
You are a member of the Settlement Class if you were located in New Jersey and you received an
unsolicited facsimile (fax) advertisement for the Spanish Yellow Pages and/or the Spanish Yellow
Pages of New York at any time on or after July 26, 1999 through August 2, 2005. Under the
proposed Settlement, you will need to fill out and redeem the Free Listing or $500.00 Discount
Certificate that is included in this Notice (or the facsimile Notice if you received one) in order to
receive your choice of benefit available under the Settlement. The Settlement benefits will only be
available if the Court grants final approval of the Settlement.
10. What claims are released if I participate in the settlement?
Persons participating in the settlement will not be able to sue, or continue to sue Defendants as part
of any other lawsuit about the same legal claims that are the subject of this lawsuit. You will be
legally bound by all of the Orders the Court issues and judgments the Court makes in the proposed
settlement.
If the Court approves this Settlement at the Fairness Hearing, then upon final
judicial approval, Plaintiff and each Member of the Settlement Class, for themselves,
their heirs, successors and assigns shall and will have jointly and severally remised,
released, acquitted and forever discharged HMG, each partner, its employees,
officers, shareholders, directors both past and present and its successors and assigns
of and from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, defenses, covenants,
controversies, agreements, promises, damages, judgments, demands, liabilities and
obligations in law or in equity that Plaintiff and Members of the Class, as defined in
this notice, asserted or could have asserted in connection with the practices
described in the Complaint in this action, as they relate to all claims concerning the
alleged violations of the TCPA, and for all common law, statutory or other claims
relating to these practices, including, but not limited to, claims for consumer fraud.
11. What if I want to exclude myself from the Class and the settlement?
To be excluded, you must notify the Clerk of the Court in writing. The request must be signed and
include your name, phone number, and address printed below your signature. All requests to be
excluded must be mailed to the address below and postmarked on or before March 20, 2006.
If a request for exclusion is sent by courier or some other delivery service other than U.S. mail, it
must be received by the Court on or before March 20, 2006.
Clerk of the Superior Court of NJ, Hudson County
Re: Palace Drug Stores, Inc. v. Hispanic Media Group, et al.
Docket Number L-3954-03
595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
If your request is postmarked or received later than March 20, 2006, your request will be considered
untimely and you will continue to be a member of the Class. You must also send a copy of your
request to be excluded to each of the following lawyers:
Attorney for Plaintiff
Glen H. Chulsky, Esq.
Law Office of Glen H. Chulsky
410 Route 10 West, Suite 210
Ledgewood, NJ 07852
Re: Palace Drug Stores, Inc. v. Hispanic Media
Group, et al.
Attorney for Defendant
Robert I Lesser
Paykin Greenblatt Lesser & Krieg LLP
Two University Plaza
Hackensack, New Jersey 076013
Re: Palace Drug Stores, Inc. v. Hispanic
Media Group, et al.
12. What if I object to the terms of the settlement?
You may also object to the settlement, but you must appear at the Fairness Hearing to do so. At the
Fairness Hearing, any Class Member may appear in person or through counsel of his or her own
choosing, and at his or her own expense, and be heard to the extent allowed by the Court in
opposition to the fairness, reasonableness, and adequacy of the settlement, including the payment of
Class Counsel fees, reimbursement of expenses and costs and the Class Representative incentive
award.
In order to make such an appearance in opposition to the settlement and/or the application for the
payment of lawyers' fees and expenses, you must send a written notice to the Clerk of Court, and to
the lawyers representing the parties in this case. These addresses are given above. Your notice of
objection must be postmarked on or before March 20, 2006. If an objection is sent by courier
or by some other delivery service other than U.S. mail, it must be received by the Court on or before
March 20, 2006.
The written notice must include notice of your intention to appear, along with a statement that
indicates the basis for your opposition and any documentation in support of such opposition. Any
and all documents must contain a reference to case number L-3954-03. Any Class Member who
does not object in the manner provided above shall be deemed to have waived objection and shall
forever be foreclosed from objecting to the fairness, reasonableness, or adequacy of the proposed
settlement or any payment of Class Counsel fees and expenses, and payment of the Class
Representative incentive award.
13. What is the difference between objecting to the settlement and asking to be
excluded from the Class?
What’s the
Objecting is telling the Court that you do not approve of the settlement. You can object, but only if
you remain in the Class. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you don’t want to be part of the
Class and do not wish to participate in the settlement. If you exclude yourself, you have no basis to
object because the case no longer affects you. You may not object and then exclude yourself.
14. What will happen at the Fairness Hearing?
At the Fairness Hearing at 1:30PM on April 7, 2006, the judge will decide whether the settlement is
fair, reasonable, and adequate. If there are objections, the Court will consider them. The judge will
also decide whether payment of attorney’s fees and costs to Class Counsel, and payment of the
Class Representative’s incentive award should be approved. Unless you wish to object to the
settlement, you are not required to attend the Fairness Hearing. You are welcome to attend at
your own expense. The Court may adjourn the Fairness Hearing without further written notice to
the Class.
15. How will I know if the settlement is approved?
If you remain part of the Class, and if the Court approves the settlement, you will be able to redeem
the Free Listing or $500.00 Discount Certificate that is included in this Notice (or the facsimile
Notice if you received one). You can find out if the Court has approved the Settlement by visiting
www.njconsumerfraudlawyers.com/classnotice.htm, by contacting Class Counsel or by calling the
Defendants (The Spanish Yellow Pages) at 1-800-499-7828.
Additional Information
16. Where can I get more details about the case?
Do not contact the judge or the Clerk of Court for legal questions or advice. If you wish to obtain any
additional information, you may obtain copies of the Complaint and other documents filed in this
lawsuit from the Clerk of Court, Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson, 595 Newark Avenue, Jersey
City, NJ 07306 during regular business hours. You will need to provide the name of the lawsuit and
the case number: Palace Drug Stores, Inc. v. Hispanic Media Group, et al. Docket Number L-3954-
03. You may also contact Class Counsel at the addresses listed above.
THE FORM OF THIS NOTICE WAS APPROVED
BY THE SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY,
LAW DIVISION, HUDSON COUNTY.
_________________________________________
HONORABLE BARRY P. SARKISIAN, J.S.C.
PALACE DRUG STORES, INC. v. HISPANIC MEDIA GROUP USA, INC. d/b/a THE SPANISH YELLOW
PAGES USA (SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY HUDSON COUNTY - Docket No.: L-3954-03)
FREE LISTING OR $500.00 CREDIT CERTIFICATE
If you were located in New Jersey and you received an unsolicited facsimile (fax) advertisement for the Spanish
Yellow Pages and/or the Spanish Yellow Pages of New York at any time on or after July 26, 1999 through
August 2, 2005, you are entitled to either a free one (1) year listing in the Spanish Yellow Pages or other like
publication of the Defendants (which has a 2005 ad rate value of $1,378.00) or a $500.00 credit to be used towards
any other display advertisement offered by the Defendants. To redeem your choice of benefit available under the
Settlement, you will need to claim your benefit by filling out the information below and contacting the Spanish
Yellow Pages at 1-800-499-7828.
CERTIFICATION: I certify that to the best of my knowledge I received an unsolicited facsimile (fax)
advertising for the Spanish Yellow Pages and/or the Spanish Yellow Pages of New York at any time on or
after July 26, 1999 through August 2, 2005.
Signature:_____________________________________ Date:___________
PRINT BELOW
Name :___________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________ Apt./Suite:______________
City: ____________________________State ___________ Zip Code__________
PLEASE PRINT THE NAME OF THE PERSON OR BUSINESS ENTITY THAT RECEIVED THE
FACSIMILE (FAX): _____________________________
YOU MUST REDEEM YOUR CERTIFICATE BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE
***Expiration Date: March 1, 2008***
Exercise of this Certificate is subject to the following terms and conditions: I) The Certificate may be presented to
the Defendants (The Spanish Yellow Pages) by the Class Member at any point during the negotiation or sales
process by calling 1-800-499-7828. II) Certificates are valid for two years from the date of transmission of the
Certificates to Class Members. The actual expiration date is set forth on each Certificate. III) Class Certificates
may not be combined with other Class Certificates but may be combined with any other coupons, certificates or
offers issued by the Defendants after the date this settlement is accepted. IV) This Certificate will become invalid if
the Court does not approve the Settlement at the Final Approval Hearing.
For additional information or if you have questions, you may visit www.njconsumerfraudlawyers.com/classnotice.htm
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