LEGAL FILE

A Seattle Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday that 72,000 Michael Jackson fans do not have to be notified individually that they are part of a class-action suit seeking service-fee refunds for three canceled Tacoma Dome concerts last fall. The decision, by King County Judge Jim Bates, reversed an earlier decision that said the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Ticketmaster Inc. would have to notify all 72,000 ticket holders of the suit by mail, an action the plaintiffs’ attorneys estimated would cost $125,000. The suit seeks a refund of the $2.50 service fee that was not returned to each ticket buyer when the concerts were canceled after Jackson became ill. The plaintiffs are asking triple damages, saying Ticketmaster’s policy of keeping service fees is an unfair and deceptive business practice. Ticketmaster said its policy is clearly stated on tickets and at sales outlets.