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Kodak to replace faulty model for free

Owners of Eastman Kodak's flawed Easyshare LS443 digital cameras finally got a satisfactory solution to their complaints yesterday, after several rounds negotiations led by the Consumer Protection Commission.

As production of the model was stopped in August 2003, the local branch of the world's biggest photography company agreed to offer a selection of eight cameras -- including the LS755, LS753, CX7530, Z700 and C330 -- for disgruntled consumers to choose from, said commission ombudsman Chuang Huei-yuan (莊惠媛).

Since these models retail for between NT$7,000 and NT$9,000 apiece and the number of unhappy consumers registered with the commission is nearly 200, the compensation offer is expected to cost Kodak at least NT$1.4 million (US$44,000), according to Tina Hwang (黃婷融), the company's public relations manager. The number of beneficiaries will only be determined on Sept. 30, the deadline for the offer, she said.

It's a hard-won victory for the Easyshare owners, who have complained that the LS443 model has serious defects. According to information on an online self-help club organized by the unhappy consumers, even if the cameras were sent in for repairs, problems persisted.

The commission intervened in May, demanding that Kodak offer a compensation offer, or face fines as stipulated by the Consumer Protection Law (消保法).
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