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rb2d2 · Sep 25, 2004

Flaming iPod Settlement Sets the Internet on Fire

A recent incident involving an 11-year-old British girl, her 'sploded iPod, an angry dad, and a very official-sounding legal notice from Apple have put the ubiquitous media player back in the headlines.

Here's how it all went down: Allegedly, Liverpool resident Ken Stanborough dropped his daughter Ellie's iPod touch last month. He claims the device then started to hiss and smoke, and was too hot to hold. He apparently then threw it into his backyard where it exploded in "a big puff of smoke" and "went 10 feet in the air."

Mr. Stanborough contacted Apple, who eventually sent him a letter of settlement offering to refund the price of the 'Pod, despite it being off warranty, in exchange for his silence about the incident. The UK Times reports that, according to the terms of the agreement, Apple would accept no liability for the iPod's fiery demise and the company would take legal action against the Stanboroughs if they broke the confidentiality agreement.

"I thought it was a very disturbing letter," Mr. Stanborough told the Times, and he refused to sign it.

I would refuse to sign it too!

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