Disney+ prices unilaterally increased: Court prohibits clause - financial expert comments on the case

Gemäß einem Bericht von www.l-iz.de, behält sich der Anbieter der Streamingplattform Disney+ in seinen Nutzungsbedingungen vor, seine Preise einseitig und ohne Einschränkungen zu Lasten der Kund:innen zu erhöhen. Die Verbraucherzentrale Brandenburg (VZB) hat dies als klaren Verstoß gegen gesetzliche Regelungen angesehen und ist vor Gericht gegen The Walt Disney Company (Benelux) B.V. vorgegangen.

The provider could not be persuaded to give in outside of court. The court has now issued a judgment of recognition and obliged the company to no longer use the inadmissible clause.

According to the article, a consumer from Cottbus should suddenly pay almost 30 percent more for their annual subscription to the Disney+ streaming service. The VZB then checked the provider's relevant terms of use and found that the provider actually reserved the right to change prices, starting with a new subscription period. Users would be informed of the changes 30 days in advance. However, the provider did not specify what factors the price changes might depend on.

According to Michèle Scherer, digital expert at VZB, consumers were unable to estimate the possible price increases based on the contract conditions at the time the contract was concluded. Although customers were given the opportunity to reject the price change, it remained unclear what consequences such a rejection would entail.

At the request of VZB, the Potsdam Regional Court has now decided that the clause for unilateral price adjustment is not permissible. The judgment was preceded by the defendant company's acknowledgment. Scherer stated that the company accepted the claim, but only after a year-long legal process.

The provider now has until the end of August to change the clause in its general terms and conditions.

For individual questions, consumers can seek advice from the Brandenburg Consumer Center, either in person or by telephone (appointment required) on 0331 / 98 22 999 5 (Mon to Fri, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or online at www.verbraucherzentrale-brandenburg.de/terminbuchung. There is also the option of email consultation www.verbraucherzentrale-brandenburg.de/emailberatung.