‘Not Fair’: Amazon Prime Video Lawsuit Says Extra Fee to Remove Ads Is Illegal

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges Amazon has violated state consumer protection laws by charging Prime Video subscribers an additional $2.99 monthly fee to remove ads from the streaming platform, something that Amazon Prime users “already paid for.” 

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The 18-page Amazon lawsuit says the tech giant has run afoul of the Washington Consumer Protection Act and several California laws by changing the terms for Prime Video and introducing ads to the service, namely for hundreds of millions of people who, through their Prime subscriptions, already paid for an ad-free streaming experience. 

Be sure to scroll down to learn how to sign up for the Amazon Prime Video lawsuit. 

“Instead of receiving a subscription that included ad-free streaming of tv shows and movies, [consumers] received something worth less,” the proposed class action lawsuit says, accusing Amazon of falsely advertising Prime Video and depriving Prime subscribers of the “reasonable expectation to which they are entitled.” 

Earlier this year, Amazon introduced advertisements to Prime Video, which since 2011 was offered as including “unlimited, commercial-free, instant streaming” of movies and TV shows at no additional cost to Amazon Prime subscribers, the case begins. In January 2024, Amazon tacked on to Prime subscribers’ subscriptions an additional $2.99 per month fee to remove ads from Prime Video, including for those who purchase a yearly, ad-free subscription and are “now mid-way through their subscription,” the suit states. 

“This is not fair, because these subscribers already paid for the ad-free version; these subscribers should not have to pay an additional $2.99/month for something that they already paid for,” the case emphasizes. 

The plaintiff, a California consumer, and others nationwide bought an Amazon Prime subscription with the belief that it would include ad-free streaming of movies and TV shows, “but it does not,” the filing relays.

According to the lawsuit, Amazon’s revision of its Prime Video terms is deceptive and unfair, and the company’s conduct “offer[s] no countervailing benefits” given that misrepresenting the service “harms both consumers and honest competition.” 

Per the complaint, when a consumer has signed up for an Amazon Prime subscription, a contract is formed at the time of purchase, namely for Amazon to provide a subscription that includes ad-free streaming for an annual or monthly fee. The offer of ad-free streaming was material to consumers debating whether to sign up for a Prime subscription, the case contends. 

Who’s covered by the Amazon Prime Video lawsuit? 

The lawsuit looks to cover all consumers who, while in the United States, purchased an annual subscription to Amazon Prime prior to December 28, 2023 and within the applicable statute of limitations period. 

How do I sign up for the Amazon Prime Video class action lawsuit?

There’s typically nothing you need to do to join, sign up for, or add your name to a proposed class action lawsuit when it is first filed. It is usually only if and when a case settles that the people covered by the lawsuit, called class members, will need to act. 

What if the Amazon Prime Video lawsuit settles? 

In the event there is a class action settlement in the Amazon Prime Video case detailed on this page, class members will most likely be notified that they are included in the deal via mail and/or email. From there, an official settlement website is usually launched, and it’s on this website that class members will be able to file a claim for compensation should any proposed settlement be approved by the court.

However, there is a long way to go in the Amazon Prime Video lawsuit before Prime subscribers might need to act. ClassAction.org will update this page with any new developments, so be sure to check back often. 

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