CHICAGO (CN) - The owners of Coors beer knowingly issued 5 million invalid prize codes for the "Coors Light Silver Ticket Sweepstakes," virtually assuring that many will enter and few - if any - will win, according to a class action in Federal Court.
Lead plaintiff Mario Aliano claims he bought a carton of Coors Light because of the promotion, but received the message that his prize code was invalid when he entered it online and via text message.
On Aug. 1, Coors launched the sweepstakes to boost sales, offering NFL tickets and gift certificates as prizes, the class claims. Consumers are supposed to retrieve prize codes inside beer cartons and enter them via the sweepstakes Web site or text message, the lawsuit states.
But the plaintiffs say Molson Coors Brewing, MillerCoors and Miller Brewing knowingly issued millions of invalid prize codes and, despite receiving hundreds of consumer complaints, "did not issue any statements or post on their corporate Web sites that the Tickets were defective."
The class claims Coors continues to market and promote the contest, despite the flaw.
Plaintiffs demand restitution and an injunction to stop the alleged fraud, deceptive business practices, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment and negligence.
The class is represented by Thomas Zimmerman Jr.
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