Sprint Nextel Corp. violated California law in how it charged early terminations fees, under a ruling in Alameda County Superior Court from Judge Bonnie Sabraw on Moday.

The Associated Press reports "Sprint will have to pay $18.2 million in cash to customers who sued over the fees and credit $54.7 million to those who were charged but did not pay the fees."

The judge rejected Sprint's defense that federal law pre-empts California law on the case,

The FCC has not made a final ruling on ETF.