Panasonic's 'bonus Wii' offer

ELECTRONICS giant Panasonic wanted to be the Santa of Christmas 2008, but its "free Wii" promotion has left the global corporation looking more like the Grinch.

The Federal Court, sitting in Adelaide, yesterday ruled the company breached the Trade Practices Act with its advertising campaign in November and December 2008.

At the time, it offered consumers a "bonus" Nintendo Wii console if they purchased one of Panasonic's Full HD Viera Plasma televisions.

But Justice John Mansfield yesterday said consumers were not told they had to provide the television's serial number within 14 days of purchase.

He said there was "no guarantee" consumers would receive their televisions within 14 days, due to the traditional Christmas rush.

That left purchasers, he said, with little or no time to claim their Wii.

"A consumer would have understood that there were conditions attached to the (promotion), but not that the conditions were such that they could not be met," he said.

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Panasonic was taken to court by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

The commission alleged Panasonic's failure to inform customers about serial numbers and delays amounted to misleading and deceptive conduct.