28 U.S.C. § 1712 — Coupon settlements

(a) If a proposed class^*-action settlement gives class members^* coupons, the part of class counsel’s fee attributable to the coupons must be based on the coupons’ value to class members who redeem them. (b)(1) If part of the coupon recovery is not used to calculate the fee, the fee must be based on the time class counsel^* reasonably spent on the action. (2) The court must approve this fee and may include a proper fee for obtaining equitable relief, including an injunction. This does not bar using a lodestar multiplied by a factor to calculate fees. (c) If the settlement gives coupons and equitable relief, including an injunction, the coupon-based fee portion must be calculated under (a), and the other portion under (b). (d) In a coupon class action^*, on a party’s motion and in its discretion, the court may receive expert testimony from a qualified witness about the actual value of redeemed coupons to class members. (e) The court may approve a proposed coupon settlement only after a hearing and a written finding that it is fair, reasonable, and adequate for class members. The court may require the agreement to distribute some value of unclaimed coupons to one or more charitable or governmental organizations chosen by the parties. Proceeds distributed or redeemed under this subsection may not be used to calculate attorney fees under this section.