Demurrer to first amended complaint
9:00 25CV480218 Jeremy Ryan vs Apple See below 7 Inc.
9:00 25CV481843 Velocity Investments Case off calendar 8 vs. Shaina Garcia
9:00 25CV458845 Valerie Phillips vs OFF CALENDAR 9-10 Warren Outlet 957
9:01 24CV443177 Jake Pauer vs Santa Plaintiff’s attorney moves to be relieved as counsel. Plaintiff’s motion is GRANTED. 2 Clara Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Trust 9:01
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Case Name: Ryan v. Apple Inc. Case No.: 25CV480218
Defendant Apple Inc. (“Defendant” or “Apple”) demurs to the first amended complaint’s (“FAC”) first cause of action for false advertising in violation of Business and Professions Code section 17500 and second cause of action for unfair business practices in violation of Business and Professions Code section 17200.
“[T]o state a claim under either the UCL or the false advertising law, based on false advertising or promotional practices, ‘it is necessary only to show that ‘members of the public are likely to be deceived.’’” (Bernardo v. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (2004) 115 Cal.App.4th 322, 356; see also Lavie v. Procter & Gamble Co. (2003) 105 Cal.App.4th 496, 508 (stating that “‘[l]ikely to deceive’ implies more than a mere possibility that the advertisement might conceivably be misunderstood by some few consumers viewing it in an unreasonable manner... [r]ather, the phrase indicates that the ad is such that it is probable that a significant portion of the general consuming public or of targeted consumers, acting reasonably in the circumstances, could be misled”).)
The first and second causes of action allege that the phrase “panel of judges” as used to describe the people evaluating the contestants on the reality show Killer Whales is deceptive because it “suggest[s] credible evaluators acting in a gatekeeping or vetting role.” (FAC, ¶¶ 7-12, 22-27, 32-35.)
However, the applicable definition of a judge in this situation is “one appointed to decide in a contest or competition.” (Webster’s 9th New Collegiate Dict. (1991), p.653; see also Merriam-Webster, “Judge,” Merriam Webster.com Dictionary <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judge> (as of May 19, 2026).)
As a matter of law, the first and second causes of action fail to allege facts demonstrating a likelihood of deception. (See
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Bayer Corp. (2018) 26 Cal.App.5th 1156, 1165 (stating that “[i]f a claim of misleading labeling runs counter to ordinary common sense or the obvious nature of the product, the claim is fit for disposition at the demurrer stage of the litigation”); see also Seelig v. Infinity Broadcasting Corp. (2002) 97 Cal.App.4th 798, 800- 801 (stating that in “[r]eality television... real people often compete for a prize under the most unrealistic, often demeaning conditions”).)
Additionally, in opposition, Plaintiff fails to cite to any case authority to support his position. (See Badie v. Bank of America (1998) 67 Cal.App.4th 779, 784-785 (stating that when a party “fails to raise a point, or asserts it but fails to support it with reasoned argument and citations to authority, we treat the point as waived”); see also Arega v. Bay Area Rapid Transit Dist. (2022) 83 Cal. App. 5th 308, 318 (stating same); see also City of Palo Alto v. Public Employment Relations Bd. (2016) 5 Cal.App.5th 1271, 1302 (Sixth District stating that “[w]hen points are perfunctorily raised without adequate analysis and authority, we may treat them as abandoned or forfeited”).)
Further, Plaintiff does not demonstrate how the causes of action may be amended. (See Goodman v. Kennedy (1976) 18 Cal.3d 335, 349 (California Supreme Court stating that “Plaintiff must show in what manner he can amend his complaint and how that amendment will change the legal effect of his pleading”); see also Cooper v. Leslie Salt Co. (1969) 70 Cal.2d 627, 636 (stating same).)
Defendant’s demurrer to the first and second causes of action is SUSTAINED without leave to amend.
Defendant shall prepare and submit a proposed order consistent with the Court’s tentative ruling.
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