Amazon Prime Video Faces Lawsuit for Ads in Standard Plan
Amazon Prime Video has recently altered its standard subscription plan by incorporating advertisements, resulting in significant backlash from subscribers. This change has sparked a class-action lawsuit in Germany, reflecting growing discontent among viewers.
Details of the Lawsuit Against Amazon
The lawsuit, which has gained traction, comes after Amazon introduced ad breaks in its standard Prime Video offering in early 2024. This alteration affected subscribers in Germany, the U.S., the UK, and Canada. Viewers are required to pay an additional fee of 2.99 Euro or 3 dollars monthly to remove ads.
- Standard subscription changed in early 2024
- Additional fee to remove ads: 2.99 Euro/month
- Countries affected: Germany, U.S., UK, Canada
Consumer Opposition and Court Ruling
Many German consumers have voiced their objections, leading to a pivotal court ruling in December 2025. A Munich court declared that Amazon’s imposition of ads without consumer consent was illegal. Ramona Pop, a representative from Germany’s consumer association, emphasized the ruling’s importance, stating it reaffirmed consumers’ rights to an ad-free experience without additional charges.
Significance of the Class-Action Lawsuit
Currently, over 200,000 German individuals have joined the class-action lawsuit. They are seeking reimbursement of 2.99 Euro for each month since ads were introduced. This could amount to an estimated financial liability of over 1.8 billion Euro for Amazon.
- Over 200,000 participants in the lawsuit
- Possible reimbursement claim: 2.99 Euro/month
- Potential cost to Amazon: over 1.8 billion Euro
Impact on Subscription Models in Europe
The ongoing legal cases could significantly influence how Amazon rolls out advertisements in other European markets. As Prime Video considers its advertising strategy, it must navigate the expectations of a growing subscriber base, which currently exceeds 20 million in Germany alone.
Types of Advertisements on Prime Video
Amazon’s advertising strategy includes various ad formats, from traditional ad breaks to pause ads that appear during playback. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Amazon will adhere to its initial subscription model or adapt to the preferences of European consumers.
For more updates on streaming services and the ongoing lawsuit, stay tuned to Filmogaz.com.
