Apple Wins US Class Action Lawsuit Over Bag Searches - According to a court ruling on Saturday, Apple Inc crushed a US class action lawsuit filed by Apple retail workers over bag search practices at the company's California retail outlets.

The employees sued to be compensated for the time taken by Apple to search their bags to guarantee they did not steal any merchandise.

At least two Apple retail store workers complained directly to Chief Executive Tim Cook that the company's policy of checking retail employees' bags to discourage theft was uncomfortable and belittling, as per court filings made public earlier in the case.

Lee Shalov, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said they are dissatisfied by the ruling and intend to explore all options, including a possible appeal.

Plaintiffs Amanda Frlekin and Dean Pelle alleged that "screenings", or bag searches, designed as a safety precaution are conducted every time sales reps leave the store, including for meal breaks.

In the ruling, US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said Apple workers can choose not to bring a bag to work and thus would not have to participate in the search. No Apple employee filed court papers declaring a special need to bring a bag, Alsup wrote.