US EditionAmazon Can't Show Ads to Prime Subscribers, Munich Court Rules
The Munich court ruled Amazon's 2024 notice misleading and ordered it to inform customers of their right to an ad-free Prime Video, supporting consumer protection laws.
- The First District Court of Munich ruled that Amazon had no right to unilaterally add adverts for German Prime customers, calling its 2024 email misleading under the Unfair Competition Act.
- Following an e‑mail announcement in early 2024, Amazon told German Prime customers ads would start from February 2024 and offered an opt‑out for 2.99, prompting the VZBV to sue.
- The court relied on contract and statutory limits, noting neither Amazon's terms of use nor German law allowed unilateral changes to Prime Video services, rejecting Amazon's public broadcasting argument.
- The court ordered immediate corrective steps, requiring Amazon to notify German Prime customers within two weeks that they have a right to an ad‑free Prime experience, and VZBV said it strengthens its separate class action.
- An Amazon spokesperson responded that the company respected the court's decision but disagreed with its reasoning and may appeal, while VZBV argued customers expected an ad‑free offer when subscribing.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Users of Amazon's Prime Video service have had to pay for advertising-free streaming for quite some time. Is that right? The Munich Regional Court has a verdict.
If users pay for television, they will not be disturbed by advertising. That is the idea of Pay-TV. And so it should remain, a German court judges.The Landgericht München I judged Amazon: The US company cannot unilaterally change the terms and conditions of its streaming service Prime Video in Germany and send commercials to viewers on screens and displays. Thus, the Federal Association of Consumer Centres has won a lawsuit against Amazon, as th…
Amazon can't show ads to Prime subscribers, Munich court rules
Ad-free viewing was among the original selling points of subscription streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, but last year that changed and commercials were shown to paying customers. Now a German court has called the practice unlawful.
The introduction of commercials in the streaming service Prime Video was inadmissible. That was decided by the Landgericht München. What the judgment means for consumers.
The Amazon Group is not allowed to impose commercials on users of the streaming platform Prime-Video. This was decided by the Landgericht München 1. Thus, a lawsuit by the Federal Association of Consumer Centres was successful.
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