<p>Sonoma County District Attorney Settles Consumer Protection Lawsuit Against Yeezy Apparel Companies</p>

Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch today announced that her office, together with the District Attorneys of Alameda, Los Angeles, and Napa Counties, settled a consumer protection lawsuit against Yeezy Apparel LLC and Yeezy LLC, California companies engaged in the online sales of sneakers and clothing.

California law requires that, unless a longer time period is indicated, orders placed over the internet must be shipped within 30 days, or sooner if the company promises an expedited shipping timeframe. If not, the company must take additional steps, such as sending a “delay notice,” which informs the consumer of the expected length of delay and offers the opportunity for a refund. The complaint alleges that the Yeezy companies repeatedly failed to ship products within the required timeframes or to provide the required delay notices or offers of refunds.

District Attorney Ravitch said, “California Law requires that when a company cannot ship products when it promises to do so, they need to clearly inform the customer of the delay and, in some cases, offer a refund. My office will continue to work with prosecutors around the state to ensure that online retailers comply with California laws.”

The action was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court (Case No. 21STCV38971.) The Yeezy companies, which are affiliated with the entertainer known as Ye (formerly Kanye West), were ordered to pay a total of $950,000 in civil penalties, indirect restitution, and investigative costs.

Under the settlement, the Yeezy companies are prohibited from making untrue or misleading statements about the time it takes to ship products and from violating the laws relating to the shipping delays. They are also required to refund money to consumers who, in the future, purchase products that are not shipped in a timely fashion. The companies worked cooperatively with prosecutors throughout the investigation.

Consumers may report false advertising or unfair business practices to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office Environmental and Consumer Law Division by calling (707) 565-5317 or emailing ECLD@sonoma-county.org.