Settlement Reached in Class Action Lawsuit against Netflix

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Did you know Netflix kept your viewing history and possibly shared it with 3rd party entities? Does that bother you? Well, you might just be happy to know that a class action lawsuit was presented and settled against the movie streaming and renting giant but don’t expect a check in the mail anytime soon. Here are the details for the settlement thus far (thanks www.terminalgamer.com)

 

“Netflix has agreed to change its data retention practices so that it separates (known as “decoupling”) Entertainment Content Viewing History (that is, movies and TV shows that someone watched) from identification information for those subscribers who have not been a Netflix subscriber for at least 365 days, with some exceptions.

In addition, Netflix will pay $9 million into a Settlement Fund to:
• Make donations to Court-approved not-for-profit organizations, institutions, or programs.
• Pay notice and settlement administration expenses.
• Pay attorneys’ fees of up to 25% or $2.25 million of the Settlement Fund, plus up to $25,000 in expenses.
• Pay a total incentive award of $30,000 to the Named Plaintiffs.

Proposals from potential donation recipients will be sought, and, after consideration, recommendations will be made to the Court. A list of the proposed donation recipients will be posted on the website.


If you do nothing, you will remain in the Settlement and your rights will be affected. If you do not want to be included, you must exclude yourself by November 14, 2012. If you exclude yourself you will keep your right to sue Netflix about the claims in this lawsuit. If you remain in the Settlement, you can object to it by November 14, 2012.

The Court will hold a hearing on December 5, 2012 to consider any objections, whether to approve the Settlement, award attorneys’ fees, and incentive award. You can appear at the hearing, but you don’t have to. You can hire your own attorney, at your own expense, to appear or speak for you at the hearing.”

About author

Brandon

Collector of retro video games, blogger of blogs, and caster of pods. I'm a resident of Northeast Mississippi where I live with my wife and hold court as the Chief Video Game consultant for the Just us Geeks empire.

3 comments

  1. chris meyer 30 July, 2012 at 13:52 Reply

    well hell, i think its messed up that they would do that…im a long standing netflix customer and if theyre gonna do that with my info then they need to pay me my small part of the monetary rewards because im not a huge fan of having 3rd parties privy to my private info regardless of who they are..

    • secondadonna 30 July, 2012 at 20:46 Reply

      As the “wronged” subscriber, you are not a getting ANYTHING. Basically, all that happens is that 1) Netflix will agree to delete your viewing history 365 days AFTER you stop subscribing; 2) Netflix will donate about $6.5 Million to some charities; and 3) the lawyers who brokered this remarkable settlement will get $2.25 MILLION PLUS EXPENSES.

      I don’t see anything in the lawsuit that dealt with Netflix giving your info to Third Parties.

      I think we should all write a thank you letter to the law firm for looking out for us.

      • Brandon 31 July, 2012 at 23:37 Reply

        I know right? Its like a warm fuzzy feeling inside….

        i really don’t care much about 3rd parties viewing my history.. they’ll see i watch a lot of mystery science theater 3000 and anime.. and my wife is addicted to army wives..

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