Spotify’s Automatic Renewal Problem Continues

July 27, 2017

automatic-renewalSpotify USA, Inc.’s (“Spotify”) efforts to have class action claims regarding its automatic renewal practices dismissed were recently denied by a federal court in California.  The decision represents another data point in the recent upward trend of class action lawsuits involving claimed violations of California’s Automatic Renewal Law (“ARL”).

How do Spotify’s services allegedly violate the automatic renewal law?

Spotify’s music streaming service provides both free and paid subscription models, each incorporating automatic renewal aspects.  The paid service is offered on a monthly subscription basis, which automatically renews each month until subscribers cancel.  The free service encourages new members to subscribe by offering a 30-day trial, after which time the subscriber is automatically charged the full amount for the next month, and each month thereafter, until s/he cancels the subscription.  To register for the free trial plan, Spotify requires payment information from consumers, while also providing various disclosures to consumers advising them that if they do not cancel their subscriptions before the 30-day period expires they will be charged a fee.

This free-to-pay conversion practice has resulted in a class action lawsuit against Spotify for allegedly violating California’s ARL.  The alleged violations include the following:

  • failure to present automatic renewal terms in a clear and conspicuous manner in visual proximity to the request for consent to sign up for the offer;
  • failure to obtain consumers’ affirmative consent for automatic renewal; and
  • failure to provide an acknowledgment that includes automatic renewal terms in a manner capable of being retained by the consumer.

Having failed to get the ARL claims dismissed, Spotify is now potentially exposed to a significant class judgment or class settlement.

Protect Your Business from Automatic Renewal-Related Liability

The importance of clearly and conspicuously disclosing terms and conditions generally, and automatic renewal conditions specifically, should be illustrated plainly by the class action lawsuit filed against Spotify.  When implemented properly, recurring billing methods (free-to-pay conversions, continuity plans) provide conveniences to both businesses and their customers.  However, it is crucial that all details of the renewal are disclosed and that the consumers expressly agree to the automatic renewal in advance.  In this regulatory environment, it is critical that businesses work closely with experienced counsel to ensure that such automatic renewal-related disclosures related to subscriptions and/or recurring fees are clearly and conspicuously presented to consumers at the time of sign up.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, have been served with process concerning your marketing or business practices, or if you are facing an investigation from the FTC or other regulatory agency, please e-mail us at info@kleinmoynihan.com, or call us at (212) 246-0900.

The material contained herein is provided for information purposes only and is not legal advice, nor is it a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney.  Each situation is unique, and you should not act or rely on any information contained herein without seeking the advice of an experienced attorney. 

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David Klein

David Klein is one of the most recognized attorneys in the technology, Internet marketing, sweepstakes, and telecommunications fields. Skilled at counseling clients on a broad range of technology-related matters, David Klein has substantial experience in negotiating and drafting complex licensing, marketing and Internet agreements.
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