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Rome Court Voids Netflix Price-Hike Clauses, Orders Refunds

Netflix plans to appeal, leaving the size and timing of payouts in Italy unresolved.

Overview

  • The Court of Rome, which ruled Friday, voided contract terms Netflix used to raise prices from 2017 to January 2024 and ordered reimbursements to affected subscribers.
  • Judges found the clauses unlawful because they let Netflix change fees without giving valid reasons in the contract, a breach of Italy's Consumer Code.
  • The ruling counted unlawful increases at €8 a month for the Premium plan and €4 a month for the Standard plan, with consumer lawyers estimating refunds near €500 and €250 for continuous users since 2017.
  • Netflix said it will appeal the decision, arguing its terms complied with Italian laws and consumer practices.
  • Italy had 5.4 million Netflix subscribers in 2025, and the court ordered publication of the judgment on Netflix Italia's site and in major newspapers, a move that could spur wider scrutiny of streaming contracts across Europe.