AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The organizers of the South by Southwest Festival are facing a lawsuit for allegedly refusing to give refunds after the event's cancellation due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Maria Bromley and Kleber Pauta, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, filed a complaint April 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division against SXSW LLC and SXSW Holdings Inc., alleging breach of contract and other claims.
The plaintiffs purchased badges for more than $1,000 to SXSW's South by Southwest Festival that was scheduled to be held March 13 though March 22 in Austin and was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. They allege that SXSW has refused to offer refunds to those who purchased badges, tickets and passes and instead has offered admission to the next three festivals and a discount for festivals in subsequent years.
The plaintiffs seek monetary, trial by jury, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Randy Howry, Sean Breen and James Hatchitt of Howry Breen & Herman LLP in Austin; Joseph Sauder, Lori Kier and Joseph Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC in Berwyn, Pennsylvania; and Daniel Herrera, Kaitlin Naughton and Bryan Clobes of Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP in Media, Pennsylvania, and Chicago.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Austin Division case number 1:20-CV-00439-LY