Compaq Computer Corp. v. Lapray

Plaintiffs Hal Lapray, Tracy D. Wilson, Jr., and Alisha Seale Owens, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, sued Compaq Computer Corporation alleging that Compaq sold them computers containing defective floppy disk controllers (“FDCs”). The trial court certified a nationwide class under Rule 42(b)(2) and (b)(3) 1 , Tex.R. Civ. P., and the court of appeals affirmed. For the reasons set forth below, we reverse the court of appeals’ judgment and remand this case to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

I

Factual Background

Plaintiffs allege that…