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Lights of America, Inc., Usman Vakil, and Farooq Vakil

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Last Updated

July 19, 2019

Federal Trade Commission v. Lights of America, Inc., Usman Vakil, and Farooq Vakil, Defendants

FTC Matter/File Number

092 3145

Civil Action Number

SACV10-1333 JVS (MLGx)

Federal Court

Central District of California

Case Summary

The Federal Trade Commission sued Lights of America Inc. and related defendants for violating federal law by misrepresenting the light output and life expectancy of their LED bulbs, and falsely comparing the brightness of their LED bulbs with that of other light bulbs. A federal court ordered the defendants to pay $21 million to the FTC to provide refunds and banned the defendants from misrepresenting material facts about lighting products. Millions of people bought these LED bulbs at Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, hardware stores, grocery stores, and on Amazon.com. The FTC has already returned more than $12 million to people who bought these light bulbs. The claims process is still open.

Case Timeline

July 19, 2019

PRESS RELEASE: FTC Sends $68,000 in Refund Checks to Consumers Who Bought Lights of America LED Light Bulbs and Filed a Claim

August 27, 2018

PRESS RELEASE: FTC Returns more than $14 Million to Consumers Deceived by Misleading Light Bulb Claims

February 20, 2014

Final Judgment and Order for Injunctive and Other Relief (81.83 KB)

PRESS RELEASE: FTC Action Leads to Court Order Barring Misleading Light Bulb Claims

September 17, 2013

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (352.27 KB)

April 25, 2012

Order Granting, in Part, the Federal Trade Commission’s Motion for Summary Judgment (70.99 KB)

January 20, 2012

Order Denying Defendants’ Motion for Sanctions Against the Federal Trade Commission (48.29 KB)

April 8, 2011

Notice of Filing of Amended Document (242.94 KB)

Amended Complaint for Permanent Injunctive and Other Relief (3.5 MB)

March 31, 2011

Order Denying Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint and Denying Motion to Seal (52.33 KB)

March 30, 2011

Plaintiff Federal Trade Commission's Opposition to Defendants' Supplemental Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss (19.21 KB)

March 10, 2011

Plaintiff Federal Trade Commission's Opposition to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint and Supporting Memorandum and Authorities (90.32 KB)

February 11, 2011

Amended Complaint for Permanent Injunctive and Other Relief (Redacted Version) (2.83 MB)

PRESS RELEASE: FTC Adds Further Factual Details to Complaint in Case Against Lights of America, Inc.

September 8, 2010

Complaint for Permanent Injunctive and Other Relief and Exhibits 1-3 (874.1 KB)

PRESS RELEASE: FTC Shines a Light on Company's Deceptive Claims for its LED Bulbs