A judge has signed off on a proposed class action settlement against Facebook, approving the establishment of a $20 million settlement fund that will pay $15 to each of the roughly 614,000 Facebook members who submitted valid claims in the "Sponsored Stories" case.  The three named plaintiffs in the case each will receive $1,500 in settlement awards, down from their request of $12,500 each.  Meanwhile, the lawyers representing the plaintiffs saw their award of attorneys fees drop from the requested amount of 37.5% (potentially $7,500,000) of the settlement fund, less certain expenses, to a "generally considered benchmark" of 25% (potentially $5,000,000) of the settlement fund, less certain expenses.

The case before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California arose out of a dispute over Facebook's allegedly improper use of its members' profile pictures in ads for "Sponsored Stories."  Judge Richard Seeborg granted final approval of the parties' settlement order, requiring Facebook to set up the settlement fund, pay attorneys fees, costs and incentive awards, and amend its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. 

—Source: fraleyfacebooksettlement.com