DiPirro v. Babolat VS North America, Inc., et al.

Michael DiPirro and Babolat VS North America, Inc. reached a settlement on March 1, 2001, in DiPirro v. ITC Babolat VS., et al. Superior Court of Alameda (No. H-216078-8), which resolved citizen enforcer DiPirro's allegations that Babolat VS North America sold lead balancing tape for racquets in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings.

As part of the settlement, Babolat agreed to either reformulate the tape so it did not contain lead or provide a clear and reasonable warning on the product, or any substantially similar product, shipped to California.

The Settlement Agreement required payments of $8,000, divided therein between civil penalties, 75% of which are paid to California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and compensation to whistleblower DiPirro and his counsel for their successful enforcement of this matter in the public interest.