Netflix has to pay money back: price increases were not legal

A Netflix customer receives around 200 euros back because several price increases have been declared ineffective. The Cologne Regional Court criticized the type of approval by pop-up. What the judgment means for millions of other subscribers and how you can reclaim money yourself.

Success against streaming giants

The Netflix customer had sued the Cologne Regional Court and achieved an interesting success. The streaming provider has to repay around 200 euros plus default interest, since the court declared several price increases ineffective. The premium subscription rose from originally 11.99 euros in three steps to 17.99 euros.

Poor approval by pop-up

The court criticized the type of price increases: Netflix blinded a “Agree price increase” button, which gave the impression that customers were only informed about a change. According to the court, the company should have made a formal offer for a legally effective adjustment.

Far -reaching consequences possible

Consumer advocates see a “strong signal effect” in the judgment, but those affected still have to assert their claims themselves. The judgment is also not yet final. Netflix shows up according to one Report of the mirror Unimpressed and refers to other court decisions that similar price increases would have been effectively recognized. In addition: claims from 2017 and 2018 are already time -barred, so there was now less money back for the plaintiff than he had hoped for.

This is how customers can proceed

Those affected should check when they received an increase and how the consent was obtained. A sample letter from Christian Solmecke, lawyer and partner at Wilde Beuger Solmecke Rechtsanwälte, can be used for recovery. Experts recommend first contact the Netflix customer service and to request the repayment directly. In addition, every customer concerned would at least have to sue their money themselves, since there is still no class action.

Pricing policy

Netflix has increased prices several times since its 2014 start of Germany. The premium subscription now costs 19.99 euros per month. The market leader justifies this with increasing production costs and investments in new technologies.