Overview

• The Landgericht Köln determined that Netflix's price increases lacked valid customer consent, awarding a plaintiff approximately €200 in refunds.
• The ruling applies only to the specific case but may encourage other subscribers to pursue similar claims for refunds.
• Consumer advocates highlight the decision as a significant stance against unilateral price hikes without explicit consent, emphasizing the inadequacy of pop-up notifications as valid agreements.
• Refund claims are limited to amounts paid after December 31, 2021, due to Germany's three-year statute of limitations on such cases.
• Netflix has since updated its consent processes for price increases but disputes the Cologne ruling, citing conflicting judgments from other German courts.