US parents can claim back cash from Apple in $100m in-app purchase lawsuit

If you live in the US and one of your children used your iTunes account to buy in-game currency for his favourite free-to-play game, you may be entitled to compensation from Apple.

That's thanks to five parents, who filed a class action lawsuit against the iPhone manufacturer back in 2011. They argued that Apple's lax rules regarding iTunes passwords led to millions of dollars in unwanted in-app purchases.

Apple settled earlier this year, and put aside more than $100 million to pay unhappy iOS owners. Now, it has detailed exactly how the compensation process will work.

Cash is due to any US parent whose child spent money (before May 2nd, 2013) in an app with an age rating of 4+, 9+, or 12+ in the Games category. That app would have to contain in-app purchases for consumable game currency.

Games of this ilk include Clash of Clans, Angry Birds, and Pixel People. You can get a full list of qualifying games here.

Those parents who decide to claim back cash from The Big A can choose from either a single $5 iTunes Store credit or an iTunes Store credit equal to the total amount of in-app purchases made within a 45-day period.

If you don't have an active iTunes account or your claims exceed $30 in total, you can get cash. Sweet, sweet cash.

If you think you may be elligble, you can find out more here.

If you're not eligible but don't want your offspring making unwanted IAPs on your iOS device in future, check out this Pocket Gamer guide on how to disable in-app purchases altogether on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.