Netflix, which launched its service in France last September, is already facing legal issues, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
France’s largest consumer organization, The Confederation for Consumption, Housing, Living and Environment (CLCV), has filed a lawsuit against Netflix for over the fine print of its subscriber contracts.
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There appear to be three specific issues:
CLCV objects to a clause where Netflix reserves the right to modify the terms of the contract without notifying customers.
What is this, the Wild, Wild West? In France, companies are obligated to notify customers of any changes and to give them the option of refusing to continue the service, without penalty.
CLCV then complains that Netflix doesn’t guarantee the quality of video on the screen, which means consumers can’t negotiate a refund or compensation if they’re screwed by a bad online copy.
And CLCV says some links of the pre-contractual information and the conditions of use are written in English, including information about gift subscriptions and text on copyright and intellectual property.
Having said that, CLCV actually praised Netflix for creating a positive experience for French consumers, by opening up competition and creating a new video watching option for consumers.
But they’re going to sue, unless their complaints are addressed, because, come on, they’re French.
Netflix has since launched in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Next come Australia and New Zealand, in March.
