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Cineplex drip pricing case headed for appeal could serve as warning
Cineplex contests a $38.9 million penalty for drip pricing after hiding online booking fees, marking the largest fine in Canadian competition law, the Competition Bureau said.
- Cineplex Inc. is challenging in court the Competition Tribunal’s decision from last September, which imposed a record $38.9-million penalty after finding the company misled moviegoers by not promptly revealing online booking fees of up to $1.50.
- The Competition Bureau triggered the case in 2023 after regulatory changes to the Competition Act strengthened the classification and penalties for drip pricing as a deceptive marketing practice.
- Cineplex maintains it was transparent about its fees, noting customers have the option to bypass these charges by buying tickets directly at theatre locations, and asserts that the tribunal made a mistake in its decision.
- Vass Bednar stated the bureau is sending a message to the entire marketplace, and Jennifer Quaid described the ruling as 'a big win for the bureau.'
- Experts note that the outcome could set a precedent for how drip pricing is treated in other industries where additional fees are introduced during the checkout process.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
56% Left
L 56%
C 33%
11%
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